Glenn James

Hawaii Weather Today
Creator, Author, and Administrator for 30 years

 

The latest update to this website was at 647am Monday morning HST


Here are the latest 24-hour precipitation totals (inches) for each of the islands Monday morning: 

6.62  Mount Waialeale, Kauai
6.65  Kamananui Stream, Oahu
1.15  Honolimaloo, Molokai
0.14  Lanai City, Lanai
6.10  West Wailuaiki, Maui
3.29  Honolii Stream, Big Island


The following numbers represent the strongest wind gusts (mph) Monday morning:

32  Nawiliwili, Kauai – ENE
50  Oahu Forest NWR, Oahu – SE
40  Makapulapai, Molokai –  ESE 
m   Lanai – missing
38  Kahului AP, Maui – NE
25  South Point, Big Island – NE


Hawaii’s MountainsHere’s a link to the live webcam on the summit of our tallest mountain Mauna Kea (~13,800 feet high) on the Big Island of Hawaii. Here’s the webcam for the (~10,023 feet high) 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.


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Big Blue…click twice for largest version

 

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Major Category 3 Hurricane Lowell southwest of Lihue, Hawaii…and Tropical Storm Marie spinning away from the Baja California coast

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Variable clouds across the state 

 

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Major Category 3 Hurricane Lowell 

 

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Showers…locally heavy 

 

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Please open this link to see details on any current Watches, Warnings and Advisories noted above




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Hawaii Weather Narrative
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Glenn’s Monday comments:  I’m at home here in upper Kula, Maui, Hawaii

457am, it’s mostly clear with a few clouds here in Maui County. My low temperature here in upper Kula was 62.5 degrees, relative humidity 85%…and calm winds

 

We continue to be in the heart of our hurricane season, so that we need to keep our eyes peeled for systems taking aim on our Hawaiian Islands through the end of November.


Hurricane Lowell

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IR Satellite Image

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[Image of cumulative wind history]

 

Hawaii’s Weather Highlights…as of Monday morning: Trade winds will veer to the east-southeast and strengthen as Hurricane Lowell approaches. Lowell is forecast to pass west of of Kauai tonight, but close enough that a Hurricane Warning is in effect for Kauai and Niihau. High surf and heavy rain will impact all islands, with strong winds mainly impacting the western end of the state.

General Overview: All eyes in Hawaii remain on Hurricane Lowell as it tracks west of Niihau and Kauai, but close enough to those islands to have hurricane and heavy rainfall concerns. The higher elevations of Kauai will allow for enhanced rainfall into the leeward/south side of the island, as the outer rainbands of Lowell move northward, and the southerly flow brings heavy rainfall to the usually drier sides of those islands. Flash flooding will be a notable concern. Enhanced easterly flow as a result of the passage of the hurricane means the other islands also get heavier rains, but for the most part will be aimed at the windward and typically wetter sides of those islands.

Once Lowell moves away into the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument by Tuesday, a more typical trade wind weather regime will return to the islands. A tropical wave may impact the islands late weekend/early next week, but the timing and intensity of that wave remains to be seen in the guidance.

Weather Narrative..as of Monday morning: Hurricane Lowell is about 375 miles southwest of Kauai moving north-northeastward. Lowell`s track has shifted eastward closer to Kauai and Niihau with advisory updates overnight, and the core of Lowell is expected to pass west of the Kauai. This has again raised the possibility of hurricane force winds reaching Kauai and Niihau, and as a result, a Hurricane Warning has been issued for both islands. A Tropical Storm was has also been issued for Oahu, also due to this eastward shift.

Additional impacts from Lowell are expected statewide. A High Surf Warning for south facing shores. for the south swell generated by Lowell for all islands, along with the west facing shores of the Big Island. A High Surf Advisory remains in effect for the east swell generated by former Tropical Storm Karina, which has weakened to a post tropical low.

The Flood Watch for the state continues through Tuesday, due to heavy rain brought in by Lowell, and associated rain and thunderstorm bands. Terrain influence will play a big factor, with isolated areas receiving significant amounts through the event. Stay alert for the issuance of any future flood advisories or warnings across the state. See hydrology section below for additional information.

The threat of short-lived, fast-moving tornados/waterspouts will be present mainly near Kauai and Niihau, as Lowell makes its closest approach to the islands. These would likely be embedded in rainbands. The threat for tornadoes is lower near the remaining islands, but not zero. The threat for tornadoes should decrease quickly early Tuesday morning.

Any deviation in track or intensity could also change how these hazards effect the islands.

High pressure is forecast to build back in Thursday through Saturday, bringing in a more typical trade wind pattern with a drier and more stable airmass.

Fire Weather:  Fire weather risk will remain low through the forecast period, due to increasing moisture moving over the islands in association with Hurricane Lowell. Thunderstorms will be possible through tonight, due to the unstable airmass moving overhead. Temperature inversion heights are expected to remain elevated or non-existent during the next few days.

Hydrology:  The potential for flooding exists through Tuesday, and as a result, a Flood Watch is in effect for the entire state. It is possible the watch may need to be extended into Tuesday night or Wednesday, depending on the lingering rain bands across the state in the wake of Lowell.

Hurricane Lowell is expected to bring additional rain to the islands through Wednesday morning with 6 to 10 inches, isolated 16 inches across Kauai. Oahu and Maui County, 4 to 8 inches, isolated 10 inches. Big Island, 4 to 8 inches, isolated 12 inches. This rainfall may produce significant flash flooding and mudslides, especially across Kauai County and south and east portions of the Big Island.

 

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Here’s a near real-time Wind Profile of the Pacific Ocean – along with a Closer View of the islands / Here’s the latest Weather MapLooping Surface Precipitation…through the next 8-days / Vog Map

 

Marine Conditions…as of Monday morning: Hurricane Lowell, located southwest of the islands, continues to move north-northeast. As it approaches the island chain wind speeds will increase. A Hurricane Warning remains in effect for waters west of Kauai County, while a Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for Kauai Channel and Kauai Windward Waters through Tuesday afternoon.

A slight eastward shift in the track has also prompted the issuance of Tropical Storm Watches for Oahu Leeward and Windward Waters. The Small Craft Advisory remains in effect for all remaining coastal waters for a combination of winds and seas through Tuesday. Winds are expected to increasingly veer to the southeast to south as Lowell approaches and the strongest winds and highest seas are expected for the western end of the state.

Hurricane conditions are expected in the western offshore waters as Lowell through Tuesday, as the center of the storm tracks just west of Niihau. Any slight deviation in the track to the west or east in the next 24 hours will have significant differences in impact for the coastal waters around Kauai County. Post-Tropical Cyclone Karina to the northeast of the islands will continue to weaken and dissipate later today.

South-southwest swell from Hurricane Lowell will rapidly build today. As a result, surf along south facing shores will begin to rise from advisory levels to warning levels by this afternoon and peak overnight. The swell will increasingly shift out of the southwest tonight. Due to the track of Lowell west of the main islands, a sharp gradient in swell is expected from west to east.

This will bring damaging surf to portions of Kauai County and possibly Oahu. Coinciding also with the peak monthly afternoon high tides, this could bring the potential for significant damage to coastal properties and infrastructure, including roadways to portions of Kauai and possibly Oahu. Swell energy is expected to rapidly decline on Tuesday.

A moderate, long-period south swell also arrives today and peaks overnight into Tuesday, but will be overwhelmed by the larger swell from Hurricane Lowell. Although it begins to fade on Tuesday, it will keep south shore surf somewhat elevated through Thursday.

A large, medium-period east swell from former Tropical Storm Karina, will combine with increasing east to southeast wind waves generated by Hurricane Lowell, to keep advisory level surf along east facing shores through Tuesday. Surf along north facing shores will also experience a small increase on Tuesday, as Lowell lifts north of the island chain and then fade through the week.

 

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Hawaii Weather: What Travelers Need to Know Right Now - Hawaii Aloha Travel


World-wide Tropical Cyclone Activity

 



>>>
Here’s a link to the latest Pacific Disaster Center’s
Weather Wall


Atlantic Ocean: There are no active tropical cyclones


Caribbean Sea: There are no active tropical cyclones


Gulf of America:
There are no active tropical cyclones

 

 Northeast Pacific:

Tropical Cyclone 13E (Marie)…is located about 705 miles southwest of San Diego, California

MARIE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TO PRODUCE DANGEROUS BEACH CONDITIONS ALONG THE COAST OF BAJA CALIFORNIA AND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS

According to the NHC advisory number 26…

Marie is moving toward the west-northwest near 7 mph. A turn to the northwest is forecast to occur over the next couple of days. Maximum sustained winds are near 65 mph with higher gusts. Steady weakening is expected for the next couple of days, and Marie is forecast to become a post-tropical remnant low on Wednesday. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 150 miles from the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 988 mb (29.18 inches).

 

Central North Pacific:

Tropical Cyclone 12E (Lowell)…is located about 375 miles southwest of Lihue, Hawaii

TROPICAL STORM WATCH ISSUED FOR OAHU WITH LOWELL

According to the NHC advisory number 46…

Lowell is moving toward the north-northeast near 14 mph. A north- northeastward to northward motion at a faster forward speed is forecast through Tuesday. On the forecast track, the core of Lowell is expected to near or just west of Niihau tonight and early Tuesday. Lowell is then forecast to turn toward the northwest and slow down by early Wednesday after passing the Hawaiian Islands. Maximum sustained winds remain near 115 mph with higher gusts. Lowell is a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Gradual weakening is expected through Tuesday. However, Lowell is forecast to remain a hurricane as it passes near the Hawaiian Islands. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 175 miles. The estimated minimum central pressure is 950 mb (28.06 inches).

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND

WIND: Hurricane conditions are expected in Kauai County beginning this afternoon or evening. Wind speeds atop and on the windward and leeward sides of hills and mountains are often up to 30 percent stronger than the near-surface winds. Tropical storm conditions are possible on Oahu beginning this afternoon.

RAINFALL: Hurricane Lowell is expected to produce additional rainfall totals of 6 to 10 inches for Kauai, with maximum totals of 16 inches possible. For the Big Island, 4 to 8 inches of rain is expected with isolated totals of 12 inches possible. For Oahu and Maui county, 4 to 8 inches of rain is expected with isolated totals of 10 inches possible. This rainfall may produce significant flash flooding and mudslides, especially across Kauai county and portions of the Big Island.

STORM SURGE: The combination of storm surge and tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide…

Kauai County…2-4 ft, with the highest expected values along the south coast of Kauai and the island of Niihau
Oahu…Up to 1 ft

The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast near and to the right of the center, where the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves. Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over short distances.

TORNADOES: Several tornadoes are possible near Kauai and Niihau this afternoon through tonight. A few tornadoes are also possible across the remainder of the Hawaiian Islands.

SURF: Swells from Lowell are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions during the next several days across many of the Hawaiian islands. Please consult products from your local weather office.

 

Northwest Pacific Ocean:

Tropical Cyclone 22W (Krovanh) is located approximately 337 NM south-southeast of Sasebo, Japan

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>>> Southwest Pacific Ocean: There are no active tropical cyclones

>>> North and South Indian Oceans / Arabian Sea: There are no active tropical cyclones

Here’s the link to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC)



Interesting: 
A Surge of Marine Heat Waves Threatens to Scramble Ocean Life

The common octopus is a warm water species that usually lives in the temperate waters of the Mediterranean. But last year, octopus larvae hitchhiked across the English Channel attached to plankton, resulting in an octopus bloom off England’s coast. This year, the bloom is the largest it’s been in 75 years.

Normally, octopus larvae that drift into cold waters die. But this year’s bloom, experts say, is the result of an unusually intense marine heat wave off of Devon and Cornwall, which raised water temperatures up to 9 degrees F above normal.

The change in species has been a boon for local fishers selling octopus into the lucrative European export market. (Octopus landings along the U.K.’s southwest coast were roughly 7,700 percent higher than usual in 2025.) And while the invasion has slashed the catch of scallops, lobster, and crab, it has boosted numbers of seals, conger eels, and dolphins, which eat octopus. The warming, in combination with abundant prey, has also drawn bluefin tuna and sharks to British waters for the first time in decades.

Read More: Yale Environment 360