July 17-18, 2010
Air Temperatures – The following maximum temperatures were recorded across the state of Hawaii Saturday afternoon:
Lihue, Kauai – 83
Honolulu, Oahu – 80
Kaneohe, Oahu – 83
Kaunakakai, Molokai – 81
Kahului, Maui – 86
Hilo, Hawaii – 85
Kailua-kona – 81
Air Temperatures ranged between these warmest and coolest spots near sea level – and on the highest mountain tops too…as of 5pm Saturday evening:
Barking Sands, Kauai – 84
Molokai AP – 73
Haleakala Crater – 48 (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 Saturday afternoon:
1.34 Mount Waialeale, Kauai
1.95 Manoa Valley, Oahu
0.11 Molokai
0.00 Lanai
0.01 Kahoolawe
1.72 Puu Kukui, Maui
0.52 Kawainui Stream, Big Island
Marine Winds – Here’s the latest (automatically updated) weather map Here’s the latest (automatically updated) weather map showing a 1033 millibar high pressure cell far to the north-northeast, which will keep the trade winds blowing, moderately strong in general through Monday.
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 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
Nene Geese…Hanalei Valley, Kauai
Photo Credit: Johnathan Esper
Our local trade winds will remain more or less in the moderately strong category this weekend…into the new week. There are expected to be fairly minor variations in our local wind speeds through the next week, with some days a bit stronger…and others somewhat lighter. The computer forecast models suggest that wind speeds will be blowing in the range between 10-25 mph in general…stronger in gusts at times. Glancing at the latest weather map, we see the very familiar 1033 millibar high pressure system, located far to our north-northeast, the steady source of our local trade winds now.
Similar to the winds described above, our rainfall will show some range in intensity and frequency through the next week. As is almost always the case, when the trade winds are the main driver in our
It’s Saturday evening as I begin writing this last section of today’s narrative update. As noted above, our trade winds will continue well into the future, as will our off and on showers, generally along the windward sides of the islands…although even over into the leeward sides at times too. The computer forecast models continue to show a slug of tropical moisture perhaps trying to edge up towards our islands in a couple of days. At this point, I’d prefer to discount it, and will write more about it Sunday morning. ~~~ Friday evening after work I went to see a new film. It’s called Predators (2010), starring Adrien Brody and Alice Braga…among many others. The synopsis is: a group of elite warriors realize they’ve been brought together on a distant planet to be systematically hunted by alien Predators. I thought that this film might have been a bit too scary for my liking, although as it turned out, it wasn’t, and I didn’t have to avert my eyes even once. It was pretty good, and the monsters were pretty intense too. I suppose I could give it a pretty solid B grade, and the small theatre was filled up folks enjoying the action. I certainly can’t recommend that everyone checks this trailer out, although there will be those of you that would enjoy taking a look. ~~~ Today I had a haircut in Paia, and since I was down there, I drove immediately afterwards to the beach. I sat around on the sandy beach at Baldwin, until it go so hot, that I had to jump in the ocean of course. Shopping was next, and then I had lunch at a vegetarian restaurant in Paia, before driving back here to Kula to put my groceries away. It has been a cloudier than usual day here in Hawaii, with more than the ordinary amount of showers falling. This has been a boon, as many areas are in great need of moisture…with a long lasting drought in force. Here in Kula at sunset, or a little later, its pea soup foggy, with a very light shower…almost like a drizzle. I hope you all have a great Saturday night! I’ll be back Sunday morning with more weather information for you. Aloha for now…Glenn.
Extra: It is that time of year when the Hawaiian Islands experience the astronomical phenomenon known as "Lahaina Noon."
That is when the sun is directly overhead at high noon. Hawaii is the only state in the nation to with this phenomenon, because it only happens in the tropics. It occurs twice a year at every location in the islands.
Lahaina Noon Dates, Times:
Kailua-Kona: July 24 ,12:30 p.m.
Hilo: July 24, 12:26 p.m.
Hana: July 19, 12:30 p.m.
Kahului: July 18, 12:32 p.m.
Lahaina: July 18, 12:32 p.m.
Lanai City: July 19, 12:33 p.m.
Kaunakakai: July 17, 12:34 p.m. – already happened
Honolulu: July 16, 12:37 p.m. – already happened
Kaneohe: July 15, 12:37 p.m. – already happened
Lihue: July 11, 12:42 p.m. – already happened
Because the sun is directly overhead, there are moments when a flagpole or structures will not cast a shadow.
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