Hawaiian Islands weather details & Aloha paragraphs
Posted by GlennDecember 11-12 2007
Air Temperatures – The following maximum temperatures were recorded across the state of Hawaii Tuesday:
Lihue, Kauai – 81
Honolulu, Oahu – 82
Kaneohe, Oahu – 80
Kahului, Maui – 81
Hilo, Hawaii – 77
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii – 83
Temperatures ranged between these warmest and coolest spots near sea level at 4 a.m. Wednesday morning:
Lihue, Kauai – 75F
Barking Sands, Kauai – 68
Precipitation Totals – The following numbers represent the largest precipitation totals (inches) during the last 24 hours on each of the major islands, as of Wednesday morning:
0.89 HANALEI, KAUAI
0.30 OAHU FOREST NWR, OAHU
0.01 MOLOKAI
0.00 LANAI
0.00 KAHOOLAWE
0.30 WEST WAILUAIKI, MAUI
3.14 MOUNTAIN VIEW, BIG ISLAND
Satellite and Radar Images: To view the cloud conditions we have here in Hawaii, please use the following satellite links, starting off with the Infrared Satellite Image of the islands to see all the clouds around the state during the day and night. This next image is one that gives close images of the islands only during the daytime hours, and is referred to as a Close-up visible image. This next image shows a larger view of the Pacific…giving perspective to the wider ranging cloud patterns in the Pacific Ocean…out from the islands. To help you keep track of where any showers may be around the islands, here’s the latest animated radar image.
Weather Chart – A 1034 millibar high pressure system is located far NE of the Aloha state, with its associated ridge of high pressure extending SW to the north and NW of Hawaii. This high and ridge combo will keep moderate to locally strong trade winds blowing today into Thursday…then stronger Friday into the weekend. Here’s the latest (automatically updated) weather map. Here’s a Weather Map Symbol page for clarification about what all those weather symbols mean on the map.
Hawaii’s Mountains – Here’s a link to the live webcam on the summit of near 14,000 foot Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii. The tallest peak on the island of Maui is the Haleakala Crater, which is near 10,000 feet in elevation. These two webcams are available during the daylight hours here in the islands…and when there’s a big moon rising just after sunset for an hour or two! Plus, during the nights and early mornings you will be able to see stars, and the sunrise too…depending upon cloud conditions.
On the beach in Hawaii…Kauai in this picture
photo credit: flickr.com
The returning trade winds will carry showery clouds in our direction, although they will be restricted for the most part to the windward sides of the islands…especially on the Big Island. This locally wet trade wind flow will keep frequent showers passing along those north and east facing coasts and slopes into Wednesday. This satellite image shows these showers approaching the Big Island. The leeward sides in contrast, where most of the resorts are located, will be on the dry side of the islands now. The fact that the overlying atmosphere is still somewhat unstable in the eastern side of the islands, will keep the chance of a few locally heavy showers in the windward forecast there. The only leeward area that will have showers, would be the upper Kona slopes, where afternoon showers could occur…and may be locally heavy as well.
It’s Tuesday evening here in the islands, as I begin writing this last paragraph of today’s narrative. Reading down through the two paragraphs above, you may come away with the idea that our weather will be turning nasty again. That isn’t exactly the case, that is unless you live out in the country along the windward side of the Big Island. Those wettest areas are still a bit soaked from the recent rains brought into the state by last weeks Kona storm. Those areas have seen some nice drying over the last couple of days, which should continue in most areas. The increasing trade winds will drag showers into some of those areas however, although it doesn’t look like a prolonged condition by any means . As a matter of fact, drier weather is expected to arrive by Thursday, bringing us back into a fairly normal trade wind weather pattern…albeit with strong and gusty winds blowing through the rest of the week. ~~~ On the other hand, outside of those windward facing locations, the sun will be shining brightly, with warm air and ocean temperatures the rule. Those windward biased showers won’t be making it over into the south and west facing leeward beaches for the moment. As usual, the best time to hit the beach under these circumstances, will be the morning hours…before the afternoon breezes get too uppity. Speaking of hitting the beach, I went there this afternoon at lunch, and my normal beach park was closed in Kihei. I was surprised to see so much of the sand gone, having been swiped into the ocean by the rough ocean last week. There was still sand, although its extent, compared to before the storm, was considerably reduced. When I first got to the beach, it was windy with choppy water, although a little while later the wind had pulled further offshore, leaving smooth conditions again. ~~~ I hope you have a great Tuesday night, whether you’re spending it here in the islands, or someplace on the mainland, or wherever. I’ll be back early Wednesday morning with your next weather narrative from paradise. Aloha for now…Glenn.
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