Hawaiian Islands weather details & Aloha paragraphs / June 16-17, 2010

June 16-17, 2010

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

Lihue, Kauai –  83
Honolulu, Oahu –  87
Kaneohe, Oahu –  82
Kaunakakai, Molokai – 84
Kahului, Maui – 87 
Hilo, Hawaii –   81
Kailua-kona –   84

Air Temperatures ranged between these warmest and coolest spots near sea level around the state – and on the highest mountains as of 5pm Wednesday:

Barking Sands, Kauai – 85
Hilo, Hawaii – 77

Haleakala Crater, Maui –            52 (near 10,000 feet on Maui)
Mauna Kea summit, Big Island – 45 (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 Wednesday afternoon:

.94 Mount Waialaele, Kauai  
.04 Oahu Forest NWR, Oahu
.00 Molokai 
.00 Lanai
.00 Kahoolawe
.12 Oheo Gulch, Maui
.46 Kawainui Stream, Big Island

Marine Winds – Here’s the latest (automatically updated) weather map showing high pressure systems far to the northeast and northwest of the islands. This will keep moderately strong trade winds blowing through Friday.

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

Hawaiian Paradise

Our local trade winds are on the increase as we push into the second half of this week. Here’s a weather map, showing a strong high pressure system far to the northeast of our islands. The increase in wind speeds Wednesday evening has triggered a small craft wind advisory to become active from Molokai southward to the Big Island…in those windiest places. These moderately strong trade winds will continue through the rest of this week, then increase a notch as we get into early next week.  

Showers carried our way on the trade winds will bring a few showers to the windward sides, a few of which may be somewhat generous locally. As this satellite image shows, we have an intrusion of high cirrus clouds moving over the state from the southwest, which may dim our sunshine Thursday…and provide colorful sunset and sunrise colors too. Here is a looping radar image to keep abreast of where any showers  may be falling. The night and early morning hours, along the windward sides, will be where most showers fall.

It’s Wednesday evening as I begin writing this last paragraph of today’s narrative.  It appears that our fairly normal late spring trade wind weather pattern will continue well into the future. This will keep generally good weather conditions intact, with the gusty trade winds the major player. ~~~ The eastern Pacific Ocean has it’s second tropical cyclone of the 2010 hurricane season active now. This satellite image shows its presence, while this graphical track map shows its motion. This system, currently being called 02E, will be referred to as tropical storm Blas soon. Meanwhile, there are no tropical cyclones here in the central Pacific Ocean at this time. ~~~ I got home to Kula, Maui, from my week long vacation to Long Beach, California Wednesday afternoon. I’m tired although otherwise in good spirits, and ready to get back to work on Thursday. I had a very good time visiting with my Mom and Dad, and my brother and sisters too.I’ll look forward to getting back over there again this autumn. ~~~ I’ll be back here early Thursday morning with your next weather narrative, I hope you have a great Wednesday night until then! Aloha for now…Glenn.