Hawaiian Islands weather details & Aloha paragraphs / January 18-19, 2010

January 18-19, 2010

Air Temperatures – The following maximum temperatures were recorded across the state of Hawaii Monday afternoon:

Lihue, Kauai – 78
Honolulu, Oahu – 81
Kaneohe, Oahu – 78
Kaunakakai, Molokai – 79
Kahului, Maui – 79
Hilo, Hawaii – 80
Kailua-kona – 81

Air Temperatures ranged between these warmest and coolest spots near sea level around the state – and on the highest mountains…at 5pm Monday evening:

Port Allen, Kauai – 81F
Princeville, Kauai – 73

Haleakala Crater –    61 (near 10,000 feet on Maui)
Mauna Kea summit – 46 (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 Monday afternoon:

0.00 Kauai  
0.08 Waimanalo, Oahu
0.00 Molokai 
0.00 Lanai
0.00 Kahoolawe
0.15 West Wailuaiki, Maui 
0.65 Honokaa, Big Island

Marine Winds – Here’s the latest (automatically updated) weather map showing a weak high pressure system to the west of the islands, with a weak ridge of high pressure extending east into the area just north of Kauai. Our winds will be trade winds, but will remain on the light side, becoming stronger later Tuesday into Wednesday.

Satellite and Radar Images: To view the cloud conditions we have here in Hawaii, please use the following satellite links, starting off with this 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. Finally, here’s a Looping IR satellite image, making viewable the clouds around the islands 24 hours a day. To help you keep track of where any showers may be around the islands, here’s the latest animated radar image.

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 weather conditions.

Tropical Cyclone activity in the eastern and central Pacific – Here’s the latest weather information coming out of the National Hurricane Center, covering the eastern north Pacific. You can find the latest tropical cyclone information for the central north Pacific (where Hawaii is located) by clicking on this link to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center. Here’s a tracking map covering both the eastern and central Pacific Ocean. A satellite image, which shows the entire ocean area between Hawaii and the Mexican coast…can be found here.

Aloha Paragraphs

  Kula, Maui, Hibiscus flower…from my backyard

A dry and stable air mass remains in place over the Hawaiian Islands Monday evening. There will still be periods when low stratus clouds are carried into our area on the light trade winds, but rainfall will remain generally limited. The two exceptions to this rule include the windward sides of both Maui and the Big Island…where more numerous showers fell. The leeward beaches will be generally nice, with warm sunshine during the days, after the morning clouds burn off. Looking a bit further ahead, the trade winds will pick up gradually over the next two days, becoming strong and gusty by mid-week into Thursday. An increase in windward biased showers will accompany this surge in the trade wind speeds…and may spread over to the leeward sides by mid-week. As we move into later Thursday and Friday, our winds will veer around to the southeast, prompted by the approach of a cold front. This frontal cloud band will bring a period of unsettled weather by the weekend, followed by cooler northerly breezes in its wake.

The surf along our north and west facing beaches will lower in height Tuesday…although with more surf expected through most of the week. The waves aong the north and west shores are still large enough to require high surf advisory flags. The good thing is that the south facing beaches are much smaller, which is giving folks a good place to have fun along the coasts. Since these southern sides of the islands are more user friendly now, that would be the best place to take families Tuesday. If you do go to the north and west sides, please be careful, as the ocean will still be quite rough, requiring close attention while getting near the ocean…especially for the kids.

It’s Monday evening, as I begin writing the last section of today’s narrative.  The last several days have been particularly nice here in the Hawaiian Islands, with no major changes on the near term horizon at this point. The days will be quite nice, with just generally dry low clouds around at times. The trade winds are blowing, but they will be mostly light for the time being, then increasing in strength starting later Tuesday into Wednesday. These strong trade winds are expected to blow wetter clouds over way, so it may become showery around mid-week. The air temperatures have risen just enough now, compared the chilly weather we saw a couple of days ago, to qualify as pleasantly warm and comfortable. As noted in the paragraphs above, we will see a winter cold front trigger Kona winds Friday into early Saturday, which could bring showers to the islands by this weekend. ~~~ I went to see the new film Avatar (2009), Sunday evening, and as you probably heard too, it was fantastic! This very popular film was unique, in that 3D glasses got handed out as we walked into the full theatre. I haven’t seen such a packed house in a long time, and as some of you know, I’m no stranger to the film scene. I had high hopes for this film, and wasn’t let down in the slightest. It was a long film, running 2 hours and 40 minutes, and there wasn’t once that I wasn’t carried along in a very engaged way. I give this film a solid A grade without the slightest hestitation. Like I often say here, there may be some folks who wouldn’t like this, but I’d say that they would be few and far between. Here’s a trailer for Avatar, in case you haven’t seen it, or would just like to take a quick look at what all the big news is about. Apparently, this film has made over a billion dollars so far on ticket sales, and has been the most popular film in many years, if not ever. ~~~ Monday was a good day, as the morning clouds burned off in most areas. I expect more clouds to ride in on the light trade winds tonight, which may cause a few more overnight showers along the windward sides. Tuesday will be another good day, although by Wednesday, and likely into Thursday, conditions may turn a bit wetter, and certainly more windy. I’ll be back early Tuesday morning with your next new weather narrative, I hope you have a great Monday night until then! Aloha for now…Glenn.

Extra: the storm raking California now