Hawaiian Islands weather details & Aloha paragraphs

The locally brisk and cool northeast winds, will continue to bring a slight tropical chill to the Hawaiian Islands for the time being.The latest weather map shows more or less the same configuration we’ve seen the last several days, with a  1032 millibar high pressure to the north, and a 1015 millibar low pressure system just to the northeast. Air temperatures will still be able to rise well up into the upper 70F’s at most sea level locations, with those wind protected areas topping the 80F degree level locally. The winds will be strong enough, that the wind chill factor will be at work, keeping that little edge of coolness around into the weekend…especially in shaded areas. As the winds finally turn more easterly, which will happen in a couple of days…our weather will warm up again, by Monday more than likely.

There will be a few showers carried our way on the northeast winds, falling most frequently along the north and east facing coasts and slopes. The overlying atmosphere remains quite dry and stable however, which will help to limit shower production. The leeward beaches for the most part will remain sunny to partly cloudy during the days, and dry. There don’t appear to be any significant rain events on our weather horizon. As this looping satellite image shows, the low pressure system to the northeast, both at the surface and aloft, continues to spin out fairly minor cloud band our way. There have been at least three distinct bands that have brought increased showers, although they move through quickly, leaving fine weather between their arrivals.

It’s Friday evening as I begin updating this last paragraph of today’s narrative. The springtime cool snap, again in a tropical sense, continues. Our local winds have been arriving from the northeast directions. This brings air from more poleward latitudes, which is of course cooler than what we commonly find in the islands. During the days it will still be warm, although Hawaii’s residents will definitely notice that there is a slight chill to the air. Air temperatures will be 1-3 degrees cooler than normal during the day, and cooler than normal during the nights as well. ~~~ I’m about ready to leave Kihei, Maui, where the weather was simply lovely and warm Friday! I decided to see the new film called The Bank Job (2008). Inspired by the infamous 1971 robbery that took place at the Lloyds Bank in Marylebone London, The Bank Job stars Jason Statham (Transporter, Snatch, Crank, Italian Job) and Saffron Burrows. This highly-charged heist thriller tautly interweaves high-level corruption, murder and sexual scandal in 1970s England. The critics are fairly enthused about this film, giving it 78% acceptance points out of a possible 100. The trailer makes it look quite entertaining, so I’m hoping for an enjoyable evening at the theater. ~~~ I’ll be back early Saturday morning with not only your next new weather narrative from paradise, but also with my thoughts about the film. I hope you have a great Friday night until then! Aloha for now…Glenn. 

Interesting: Global temperatures will drop slightly this year as a result of the cooling effect of the La Nina current in the Pacific, UN meteorologists have said. The World Meteorological Organization’s secretary-general, Michel Jarraud, told the BBC it was likely that La Nina would continue into the summer. This would mean global temperatures have not risen since 1998, prompting some to question climate change theory. But experts say we are still clearly in a long-term warming trend – and they forecast a new record high temperature within five years. The WMO points out that the decade from 1998 to 2007 was the warmest on record. Since the beginning of the 20th Century, the global average surface temperature has risen by 0.74C. While Nasa, the US space agency, cites 2005 as the warmest year, the UK‘s Hadley Centre lists it as second to 1998. Researchers say the uncertainty in the observed value for any particular year is larger than these small temperature differences. What matters, they say, is the long-term upward trend.

Interesting2: The Kilauea volcanic vent continues its activity at two locations Friday. Pu’u ‘O’o, lava continues to flow into the ocean, treating visitors to a special sight. At the summit, Halema’uma’u continues emitting ash and sulfur dioxide. HVO reports that ash level concentration has been lower as the plume remained white most of yesterday & thru the night. HVO also reports that the sulfur dioxide level has steadily decreased over the last few days. Less than 50% of a week ago. Be aware that although emissions have decreased substantially, the level is still high enough to remain on the alert and cautious. HVO reports it is still too early to project if this downward trend will continue. Due to the continued volcanic emissions of sulfur dioxide and ash at Halema’uma’u and Pu’u ‘O’o, the following advisories are in effect: CODE YELLOW remains in effect for Pahala in the Ka’u district due to the higher levels of SO2 in the area. Yellow code recommends individuals sensitive to be aware and cautious and avoid outdoor activity. For others, potential health effects are not expected, but all should limit exposure to sulfur dioxide.