August 31-September 1 2008
Air Temperatures – The following maximum temperatures were recorded across the state of Hawaii Sunday afternoon:
Lihue, Kauai – 85
Honolulu, Oahu – 88
Kaneohe, Oahu – 83
Kahului, Maui – 88
Hilo, Hawaii – 84
Kailua-kona – 85
Air Temperatures ranged between these warmest and coolest spots near sea level, and on the taller mountains…at 3 p.m. Sunday afternoon:
Kapalua, Maui – 88F
Kaheohe, Oahu – 81
Haleakala Crater- missing (near 10,000 feet on Maui)
Mauna Kea summit – missing (near 14,000 feet on the Big Island)
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 afternoon:
0.79 Mount Waialaele, Kauai
0.49 Manoa Valley, Oahu
0.01 Molokai
0.00 Lanai
0.13 Kahoolawe
1.30 Ulupalakua, Maui
1.16 Honaunau, Big Island
Weather Chart – Here’s the latest (automatically updated) weather map showing a 1031 millibar high pressure system located far to the northeast of Hawaii. This pressure configuration will keep our trade winds blowing generally in the moderately strong range…although stronger and gusty in those windiest locations.
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
Aloha Paragraphs
Waipio Valley on the Big Island
Photo Credit: flickr.com
Light to moderately strong trade winds will remain well established over the Hawaiian Islands through the next week. As this weather map shows, we have a large 1031 millibar high pressure system far northeast of our islands now…the source of our local winds. In general, light to moderately strong trade winds will prevail…with those typically windier places having higher gusts.
There will be showers at times along the windward sides, followed by less showery periods through Labor Day. The rainfall pattern continues to be one with occasional passing showers…and then returning to drier conditions. There will be some enhancement to our windward biased showers at times, with an occasional heavy shower falling. This will be the result of cooler air aloft, associated with an upper trough of low pressure. The upcountry leeward sides will see afternoon showers at times through the Labor Day holiday as well…some of which could be quite generous on Maui and the Big Island.
Dangerous hurricane Gustav has shown some weakening (category 3) as it continues its journey through the Gulf coast. As this track map from the National Hurricane Center in Miami shows…it continues on a straight line towards the Louisiana coast, to the west of New Orleans. The northeast quadrant (upper right portion) of a forward moving hurricane is regarded as the most severe part of the storm. This most most damaging part of the storm remains a distinct threat to the New Orleans area. This hurricane will bring major hurricane force winds…along with extensive flooding and storm surge to the area. Evacuations continue Sunday afternoon, before Gustav makes landfall perhaps as early as Monday morning. Tropical storm force winds are close to reaching the coast Sunday evening. Here’s the latest satellite image of the hurricane. Here is looping radar image of Gustav as it moves towards the coast.
Meanwhile, tropical storm Hanna, in the Caribbean Sea, will strengthen as it continues on towards the southeast coast of the United States. As this NHC tracking map shows, Hanna is expected to be a hurricane when it makes landfall somewhere between Georgia and South Carolina. Here’s what the hurricane models are showing to be the various tracks over the next several days. Here’s a satellite image of Hanna, which will be the lead headline weather news…after Gustav does his thing along the Gulf coast.
Speaking of tropical systems, there’s an area of low pressure, what we could consider a tropical disturbance, to the south of Hawaii now. This area, which is approximately 600 miles south of Honolulu, is moving in a west-northwest direction. The upper level winds aren’t especially favorable for strengthening, although this concentrated area of deep convection will need to be watched. Here’s a satellite image of the area, look for the small thunderstorm complex directly south of our islands. Here’s what the hurricane models are showing for what’s being called Investigation Area 95C.
It’s late Sunday afternoon here in Kula, Maui, as I begin writing this last paragraph of today’s tropical weather narrative from Hawaii. You know, weather forecasting during a weather pattern such as we now have going on here in the islands…is tough. One day the showers are here, and the next day they aren’t. These all important fluctuations don’t always coincide with, or match exactly what that day’s forecast calls for! It’s somewhat hit or miss, that is, the showers come and go, as do the accurate, and the inaccurate forecasts with them. I was expecting afternoon showers up here on the slopes of the Haleakala Crater Sunday, like yesterday, and sure enough, they are nowhere to be found. Oh well, it’s like life itself I suppose, one can only hope for the best, and take what they get. As I’m fond of saying, or at least thinking: the trick seems to be in the acceptance of what comes our way, using the old analogy…taking responsibility for what we have going on in our lives day by day, right down into the moment by moment reality. I hope you have a great Sunday night wherever you happen to be accepting the present! I’ll be back Monday morning, not as early as most Monday mornings though, as it is a national holiday. Aloha for now…Glenn.
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