Hawaiian Islands weather details & Aloha paragraphs
Posted by Glenn
January 25-26 2008
Air Temperatures – The following maximum temperatures were recorded across the state of Hawaii Thursday:
Lihue, Kauai – 76
Honolulu, Oahu – 80
Kaneohe, Oahu – 76
Kahului, Maui – 75
Hilo, Hawaii – 79
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii – 81
Temperatures ranged between these warmest and coolest spots near sea level at 4 a.m. Friday morning:
Kaneohe, Oahu – 70F
Barking Sands, Kauai – 62
Precipitation Totals – The following numbers represent the largest precipitation totals (inches) during the last 24 hours on each of the major islands, as of Friday morning:
1.73 MOUNT WAIALEALE, KAUAI
0.48 POAMOHO 2, OAHU
0.00 MOLOKAI
0.00 LANAI
0.00 KAHOOLAWE
0.11 OHEO GULCH, MAUI
0.01 WAIKII, 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 – Here’s the latest (automatically updated) weather map. A strong 1039 millibar high pressure system, localted far to the north of the islands, will move closer over the next few days…with increasingly strong and gusty trade winds. 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.
I just spent my fourth day here in New Orleans…attending about five hours of weather related talks. As has been the case all week, I kept my focus on climate change, and how that influences tropical cyclones as much as possible. This last day of the conference, was still intereresting, although I found myself getting tired. My attention span flagged a bit, after near back-to-back presentations day after day…many of which were pretty high level in terms of deep meteorological content.
Last evening I walked down to the French Quarter again, found Bourbon Street, and walked all the way to the end…and back. The bell man at the hotel I’m staying at, had recommended an eating place, and I tried it out. It was called Galatoire’s…which stated: Indulge in the Tradition. I ordered fresh Pompano, covered with clams, along with potatoes, garlic bread and a fresh salad. I very much enjoyed this meal, along with a glass of Geyser Peak Cabernet Saugvinon.
The high point of Wednesday’s activities was a guided bus tour around New Orleans…focusing most intently on the area damaged by hurricane Katrina. This was a two and a half hour ride, with a full bus load of people from the weather conference. The trip took us right to the heart of the worst hit areas, providing a first hand experience of the aftermath of the storms fury. As you know, the worst part of the storm turned out to be the flooding, although the wind was exceedingly strong too.
I was actually surprised at how much devastation remains, and how little has been done to put it back together in many areas. There were whole tracts of land where almost every house, as far as the eye could see, had been washed or blown away! All you could see were the footing stones, where the houses used to be. We got off the bus in this area, and people just wandered around taking pictures…which left me feeling a bit stunned. We stopped at a large cemetary too, and again wandered around, which was very interesting.
This is my last night in New Orleans, as I fly to Denver, and on to Los Angeles Thursday, before catching a flight back to Maui…arriving in the early evening. It has been a great experience coming to the Gulf coast, and to this famous city, best known, or at least partially known for the Mardi Gras celebration…which starts soon as a matter of fact. I’ll catch up with you more than likely Friday morning, when I publish the first weather narrative since I left for this mainland trip. I hope everyone has been well in my absence. Aloha for now…Glenn.
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