Hawaiian Islands Weather Details & Aloha Paragraphs / December 13-14, 2017

Air Temperatures – The following high temperatures (F) were recorded across the state of Hawaii Wednesday…along with the low temperatures Wednesday:

74 – 64  Lihue, Kauai
81 – 66  Honolulu, Oahu
76 – 69  Molokai
80 – 72  Kahului AP, Maui
82 – 68  Kailua Kona
76 – 61  Hilo AP, Hawaii

Here are the latest 24-hour precipitation totals (inches) for each of the islands as of Wednesday evening:

0.16  Kilohana, Kauai
0.04  Mililani, Oahu
0.70  Molokai
0.02  Lanai
0.10  Kahoolawe
0.59  Hana AP, Maui
0.98  Honokaa, Big Island

The following numbers represent the strongest wind gusts (mph) as of Wednesday evening:

21  Mana, Kauai
38  Kuaokala, Oahu
20  Molokai
27  Lanai
35  Kahoolawe
24  Maalaea Bay, Maui
43  Kealakomo, Big Island

Hawaii’s Mountains – Here’s a link to the live webcam on the summit of our tallest mountain Mauna Kea (nearly 13,800 feet high) on the Big Island of Hawaii. Here’s the webcam for the Haleakala Crater on Maui. These webcams are available during the daylight hours here in the islands, and at night whenever there’s a big moon shining down. Also, at night you will be able to see the stars — and the sunrise and sunset too — depending upon weather conditions.

Aloha Paragraphs

Storms moving by west to east far north of Hawaii

A cold front has moved through the island chain

Variable clouds…high clouds east

Showers locally  – Looping image

High Surf Warning…north and west shores of Kauai, Oahu and Molokai, and for north shore of Maui

High Surf Advisory…north shore of the Big Island

Small Craft Advisory…large north-northwest swell

High Wind Warning…Big Island summits

Gale Warning…Alenuihaha Channel

Wind Advisory…All areas except Haleakala Crater

~~~Hawaii Weather Narrative ~~~

Broad Brush Overview: A weakening cold front located near the Big Island, will shift east of the state by tonight. Gusty north-northeast winds, with cool and dry conditions will continue to fill in behind the front through Thursday…with unsettled weather possible Friday through the weekend.

Details: The cold front will pass east of the state tonight. The main band of showers reached Kauai and Oahu yesterday, Maui County overnight, with the Big Island got some during the day. A new shot of cool and dry air will arrive behind this front. Winds will shift north-northeast and become stronger through Thursday.

Looking Further Ahead: Changes in the weather are likely later in the week, as models are showing an upper low dropping south, as it cuts off from the jet stream to the north, reaching a position northeast of the islands Friday. This upper low will bring instability and cold temperature to the middle and upper atmosphere…with increasing rainfall chances and heavier showers.

Near the surface, a low is expected to form east of the state in response to the upper low. The instability aloft, low pressure near the surface, and increasing low level moisture will lead to unsettled weather over the islands…with the possibility of heavy rain and thunderstorms, and snow for the Big Island summits.

However, models are still having a tough time agreeing on the location of the upper low, and the timing of how long the low stays in the vicinity. The current forecast has increasing showers and rainfall  Thursday night through Saturday. Thunderstorms may occur starting Friday over the eastern windward waters. There’s a chance we’ll see a Kona low forming to the west of the state next week…which could bring more rain our way.

Here’s a wind profile of the Pacific Ocean – Closer view of the islands / Here’s the vog forecast animation / Here’s the latest weather map

Marine environment details: A High Surf Warning is in effect for north and west facing shores of most islands with a High Surf Advisory for north facing shores of the Big Island of Hawaii. A very large north-northwest swell is peaking although will remain quite large on Thursday, then subside through Saturday.

North winds are spreading over the Hawaiian coastal waters behind a dissipating front. For now, wind speeds are below the Small  Craft Advisory (SCA) threshold, although a SCA is in effect for most waters…due to large seas associated with the north-northwest swell.

Winds will strengthen over the next 36 hours as high pressure builds northwest of the area, and a trough forms to the east. Winds will reach SCA levels in the windier areas around the Big Island and Maui County strengthening to near gale force Thursday. Winds will subside Friday into Saturday as the trough approaches from the east.

The approaching trough will bring increasing moisture and instability, so thunderstorms will be possible as early as Thursday night.

Geminid Meteor shower tonight

World-wide Tropical Cyclone activity

>>> Here’s the latest PDC Weather Wall Presentation, covering Tropical Depression 32W moving across the Philippine Islands

>>> Atlantic Ocean:

>>> Caribbean Sea:

>>> Gulf of Mexico:

Here’s a satellite image of the Caribbean Sea…and the Gulf of Mexico

Here’s the link to the National Hurricane Center (NHC)

>>> Eastern Pacific:

Here’s a wide satellite image that covers the entire area between Mexico, out through the central Pacific…to the International Dateline.

Here’s the link to the National Hurricane Center (NHC)

>>> Central Pacific:

Here’s a link to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC)

>>> Northwest Pacific Ocean:  

Tropical Depression 32W, here’s a graphical track map, a satellite image…and what the computer models are showing