May 23-24, 2010
Air Temperatures – The following maximum temperatures were recorded across the state of Hawaii Sunday afternoon:
Lihue, Kauai – 82
Honolulu, Oahu – 84
Kaneohe, Oahu – 81
Kaunakakai, Molokai – 81
Kahului, Maui – 82
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 Sunday evening:
Barking Sands, Kauai – 85F
Hilo, Hawaii – 77
Haleakala Crater – 41 (near 10,000 feet on Maui)
Mauna Kea summit – 36 (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:
1.90 Mount Waialaele, Kauai
1.13 Moanalua RG, Oahu
0.17 Molokai
0.00 Lanai
0.00 Kahoolawe
3.19 Puu Kukui, Maui
0.36 Saddle Quarry, Big Island
Marine Winds – Here’s the latest (automatically updated) weather map showing a strong 1036 millibar high pressure system to our northeast…with elongated ridges of high pressure extending from its center southeast and southwest of our islands. The trade winds will remain locally blustery through Tuesday.
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. Of course, as we know, our hurricane season won’t begin again until June 1st here in the central Pacific.
Aloha Paragraphs
Gusty trade winds into Monday
Gusty trade winds will remain active into the new week. Checking out this weather map, we see a strong trade wind producing high pressure system located to the northeast of the islands…weighing-in at 1036 millibars Sunday night. The small craft wind advisory flags are still active across all the major channels from Kauai down through the
The windward sides will benefit from off and on passing showers…into the new week. The computer forecast models continue to show a trough of low pressure edging closer to the islands over the next couple of days. This trough may destabilize our atmosphere to some degree, making the incoming clouds more shower prone along our windward sides at times…depending upon moisture availability. As the trade winds are so strong now, we could see a few showers flying over into the leeward sides on the smaller islands too. Sunday night, using this IR satellite image, we see some cloud bands that will bring showers to the windward sides at times. Shifting over to this looping radar image, we can see quite a few showers falling along those windward sides.
It’s Sunday evening as I begin writing this last section of today’s narrative. The trade winds will remain blustery. To get an idea how strong they are, here were the top gusts Sunday evening on each of the islands:
Kauai – 32 mph
Oahu – 36
Molokai – 36
Lanai – 12 – blocked from the strong trade winds
Kahoolawe – 46
Maui – 44
Big Island – 39
Our local winds remain on the strong and gusty side of the wind spectrum, with no let up expected for several more days. The windward sides saw quite a few passing showers Sunday. The trough of low pressure that’s near our islands aloft, will enhance our incoming showers at times, some of which may slide over into the leeward sides at times on the gusty trade winds. ~~~ Sunday was a good day, with a nice mix of both work and relaxation. I had planned on going to Baldwin Beach again, for another swim, although once I got down there, I found clouds, windy weather, and passing light showers. So, instead I just did a little more shopping at the health food store, before heading home. On the way, I stopped in the pastures below Kula, and watched the sheep that were grazing there, along with the cows and horses too. Somehow I find a peaceful feeling when I watch those grazers munching on their grass so intently. I came home and had a nice bbq, and afterwards started visiting with my neighbor. We ended up taking his pickup truck over to another large area of grass, where cows hang out, filling up 4 large containers of cow pies for our garden. The view from there is spectacular, with the north and south shores clearly visible. It actually showered a couple of times today here in Kula, which was a treat. I’m going to consider myself off for the day, and will meet you here early Monday with your next new weather narrative. I hope you have a great Sunday night until then! Aloha for now…Glenn.
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