Hawaiian Islands weather details & Aloha paragraphs
Posted by GlennDecember 15-16 2007
Air Temperatures – The following maximum temperatures were recorded across the state of Hawaii Saturday:
Lihue, Kauai – 79
Honolulu, Oahu – 81
Kaneohe, Oahu – 77
Kahului, Maui – 79
Hilo, Hawaii – 80
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii – 81
Temperatures ranged between these warmest and coolest spots near sea level at 6 a.m. Sunday morning:
Lihue, Kauai – 74F
Hilo, Hawaii – 69
Precipitation Totals – The following numbers represent the largest precipitation totals (inches) during the last 24 hours on each of the major islands, as of Sunday morning:
1.36 MOUNT WAIALEALE, KAUAI
3.08 SOUTH FORK KAUKONAHUA, OAHU
0.23 MOLOKAI
0.00 LANAI
0.00 KAHOOLAWE
2.07 PUU KUKUI, MAUI
2.55 WAIAKEA UKA, 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 1032 millibar high pressure system is located to the north of the Aloha state now. This high and its associated ridge system to the east and west, will keep strong trade winds blowing today into Monday. 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.
Wet trade winds along the windward sides of the islands
photo credit: flickr.com
Satellite imagery shows that clouds with passing showers will continue along the windward sections of all the islands. As is often the case when the trade winds are strong, showers ride in on them, falling along the north and east facing windward coasts and slopes…some of which will be briefly quite heavy. It appears that there will be a fairly steady stream of these passing showers arriving through the weekend along those wind exposed areas. The smaller islands have low mountains dividing the windward and leeward sections, not high enough to keep the blustery winds from carrying a few showers over into those south and west facing coasts at times. The leeward beaches will be the sunniest areas, with more or less favorably inclined weather conditions prevailing however.
It’s Saturday evening here in the islands, as I begin writing this last paragraph of today’s narrative. The stiff winds noted above, will be with us a while longer. They will be blowing in the 10-30 mph range generally, although those windiest areas will find wind speeds gusting between 30-40 mph, with higher gusts to near 50 mph in a few select spots. ~~~ The windward sides will continue to see an off and on parade of passing showers. In most cases, they will be light to moderate, although there continue to be reports of briefly heavy ones falling at times. The leeward sides will see fairly sunny skies during the days, with relatively warm temperatures prevailing. ~~~ This morning I went down to the Kahului harbor, to take part in a gathering that protested the controversial Super Ferry. My main concern was that this huge catameran would run over Humpback Whales or Dolphins during its crossing between the islands. It was a good large gathering of concerned folks, who had various reasons to not want the Superferry to tread heavily across the coastal and channels waters of the islands. It was a peaceful gathering for the most part, and despite my reluctance to participate, I had to do it on behalf of the ocean, and the creatures that would be out there holding signs if they could…wanting to protect their delicate existence. ~~~ I just got back from attending a memorial service at the Union Church in Makawao, as a friend of mine recently passed away. His name was Ron Sturtz, who was very instrumental in environmental affairs on Maui. It was a very moving experience, as so many people loved this big hearted man. I found tears running down my cheeks many times during the moving cermony. I will miss Ron’s ever present humanistic presence, as will many, many people both here in Hawaii, and on the mainland as well. He shined his love light all around! ~~~ I’ll be back early Sunday with your next new updated weather narrative from paradise. I hope you have a great Saturday night wherever you happen to be spending it! Aloha for now…Glenn.
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