February 15-16, 2010
Air Temperatures – The following maximum temperatures were recorded across the state of Hawaii Monday afternoon:
Lihue, Kauai – 77
Honolulu, Oahu – 81
Kaneohe, Oahu – 76
Kaunakakai, Molokai – 78
Kahului, Maui – 81
Hilo, Hawaii – 81
Kailua-kona – 81
Air Temperatures ranged between these warmest and coolest spots near sea level around the state – and on the highest mountains…at 3pm Monday afternoon:
Kaneohe, Oahu – 81F
Lihue, Kauai – 76
Haleakala Crater – 52 (near 10,000 feet on Maui)
Mauna Kea summit – 41 (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:
0.02 Poipu, Kauai
0.03 Waimanalo, Oahu
0.07 Molokai
0.00 Lanai
0.00 Kahoolawe
0.42 West Wailuaiki, Maui
0.99 Kawainui, Big Island
Marine Winds – Here’s the latest (automatically updated) weather map showing 1024 millibar high pressure system located far to the northeast. Meanwhile, a cold front is approaching from the northwest. This pressure configuration will keep trade winds blowing through Tuesday...although quite lightly. Stronger northwest to northerly winds arrive later Tuesday afternoon into the night.
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
Hawaiian Art
The trade winds will become lighter into Tuesday, then stronger and cooler from the northwest to north…and finally northeast. The lighter winds now are being prompted by the approach of a weak cold front. Meanwhile, we’ll continue to see favorably inclined weather over the state, with warm sunny weather. The latest thought is that this frontal cloud band will now move down through the entire state, at a very fast clip. A surge of cooler air will arrive ahead of the frontal passage, and then of in its wake from the north and northeast…ushering in a brief period of chilly weather. These winds will help to carry some moisture from the dissipating front down across the windward sides for a day or two. Moving through the rest of the work week, these winds turn to the trade wind direction, with whatever showers that are around diminish going into the weekend. The computer models then show another cold front approaching the state, although perhaps stalling before arriving.
It’s Monday evening, as I begin writing the last section of today’s narrative. Monday turned out to be an exceptionally fine day, which was great, as many folks were off work on this President’s Day holiday. Here’s wishing Mr. Obama the best wishes on his special day of the year. The trade winds were blowing, although were quite a bit lighter, as a high pressure ridge gets pushed down close to the state…by the approaching cold front. As noted above, the front is now expected to keep going, as it moves through the island chain later Tuesday into Wednesday morning. The Hawaiian Islands remain dry, so that any moisture that this frontal cloud band brings, will be very welcome. ~~~ Here in Kula, Maui, near 5pm, my air temperature was nice and warm, at 73.4F degrees. It’s generally clear up here on the slopes of the Haleakala Crater, as it is across most of the islands. I’m just about ready to go for a bike ride with my neighbor, which will be fun. I hope you enjoy the rest of your day, and will meet me here again early in the morning Tuesday! Aloha for now…Glenn.
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