Glenn James

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

 

The latest update to this website was at 135pm Friday afternoon HST


Here are the latest 24-hour precipitation totals (inches) for each of the island Friday afternoon: 

1.04  Kilohana Kauai
0.35  Poamoho RG 1, Oahu
0.54  Puu Alii, Molokai
0.00  Lanai
2.60  Puu Kukui, Maui
4.37  Spencer, Big Island


The following numbers represent the strongest wind gusts (mph) Friday afternoon:

35  Port Allen, Kauai – NE
60  Oahu Forest NWR, Oahu – NE
33  Makpulapai, Molokai – NE
46  Kealaloloa Rg Maui – NNE
50  Puuloa, Big Island – WNW


Hawaii’s Mountains – Here’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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Tropical systems remain active in the eastern and central Pacific…including Category 4 Hurricane Odalys and Category 5 Major Hurricane Polo…along with Category 2 Hurricane Nolo nearing Hawaii


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Variable clouds are present over the island chain…Hurricane Noro just south 

 

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Localized Showers…some 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 Aloha Friday comments:  I’m at home here in upper Kula, Maui, Hawaii

429m, it’s mostly cloudy here at my place, with the low temperature 61.5 degrees, relative humidity is 83%…with calm winds

Headline:

Heavy rain and flood threat growing especially for the Big Island as Hurricane Nolo strengthens and starts to approach the Big Island. The latest NHC forecast has Hurricane Noro at Category 2 (with 105 mph sustained wind ). As Nolo moves west, it’s expected to reach 144 mph sustained winds, with gusts to 173 mph at the peak strength late Sunday into early Monday. This would put it at a Major Category 3 hurricane.

Nolo continues on a gradual strengthening trend. Nolo is moving towards the Big Island today, and then begins a drift westward while it is located south of Hawaii. Nolo should further intensify today, and this weekend the hurricane is expected to significantly intensify.

As has been the case over the last several days, there continues to be at least some uncertainty about the actual track of the storm. The models have not been very consistent on exactly when this all important turn to the west will occur. The severity of the heavy rainfall, flooding, mudslides and damaging winds will be dependent on how close the storm gets to the islands.

Key Messages:

Nolo is expected to remain south of the Big Island of Hawaii through Saturday before turning westward and moving away from the island. Tropical storm conditions are expected to begin on the Big Island tonight with hurricane conditions possible on Saturday, particularly in areas of steep terrain.

Periods of heavy rain are expected to continue across the Big Island and Maui through the weekend. Life-threatening, catastrophic flooding and mudslides are possible, especially in areas of steep terrain across the eastern and southern portions of the Big Island and Maui. Across the remainder of Hawaii, lesser rainfall totals are expected, with isolated flooding possible.

Large and damaging waves are likely along portions of the Big Island’s coastline into the weekend.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Maui County where tropical storm conditions are possible beginning on Saturday. Interests elsewhere in Hawaii should closely monitor the latest forecast updates



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Hawaii’s Weather Highlights
…as of Friday afternoon: 
Hurricane Nolo continues to slowly move to the north towards the Big Island, and is expected to make a turn to the west tonight. Moisture on the north side of Nolo will interact with the terrain of the Big Island and Maui, and could lead to significant flash flooding, particularly on the windward and southeast portions of the Big Island. Localized strong and gust winds are possible statewide, with the highest winds expected on the Big Island due to the proximity to Nolo.

Weather Narrative…as of Friday afternoon: Hurricane Nolo continues to moving slowly northward towards the Big Island. An upper level trough west of the islands is helping to steer Nolo. As the trough moves to the west tonight and Saturday, Nolo should begin to make its turn westward. Then a building ridge north of the state will help Nolo to continue to move to the west. The current forecast track is similar to yesterday evenings forecast, however with a delay in the onset of rain on the Big Island and Maui, and in keeping with other model guidance, lower additional rainfall is expected for those areas.

While some of the threat has been lowered, the possibility of flooding continues. And with many areas of the southeast portion of the Big Island susceptible due the recent rains, any additional rainfall could cause significant issues. As such, the Flood Watch continues for Maui and the Big Island. Additionally, some modifications to the winds, primarily to lower them over the next couple of days, have been made, also keeping with the latest model guidance.

In regard to the winds over Kauai County and Oahu, the west turn timing plays a big factor in many parts of the forecast, including the timing of winds for Kauai County and Oahu. Oahu remains at a slightly higher chance for meeting High Wind Warning criteria, but still a good shot for Kauai reaching advisory levels too.

Satellite derived precipitable water (PW) shows the deeper moisture has moved over the Big Island, but radar shows that the shower activity remains to the south. Look for shower activity to increase over the Big Island today as Nolo moves north, pushing that moisture area into the Big Island. The additional rainfall totals have been trended down, however the possibility of localized significant totals remains. Strengthening northeast winds are expected to drive moderate to heavy showers over windward portions of the Big Island and Maui, as moisture deepens and spreads northward over the state

A High Wind Watch for Oahu Saturday and Saturday night remains a possibility. The Hurricane Watch and Tropical Storm Warning remain in effect for the Big Island and the Tropical Storm Watch continues for Maui County.

By the middle of next week, low pressure troughing will draw Nolo sharply north or northeastward west of Kauai. The end of next week will then feature a light south to southeast wind flow, as Nolo lifts north of the area.

Fire Weather:  Winds will steadily increase as Hurricane Nolo moves closer. Very strong winds are possible on the Big Island, though heavy rainfall will likely mitigate fire danger over most areas. From Kauai to Maui County, rainfall over the last month has led to some improvement in fuels, but the gusty trade winds will produce moderate fire weather conditions over drier leeward areas through the weekend.

 

Interesting Weather Web blog: Mauka Showers….Hurricane Nolo – Here We Go Again!

 

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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 Map / Looping Surface Precipitation…through the next 8-days / Vog Map

 

Marine Conditions…as of Friday afternoon: The center of Hurricane Nolo was located south of South Point, Big Island. Nolo is expected to strengthen the next couple of days as it tracks slowly north and then turns west this weekend, passing south of the Hawaiian Islands. Nolo’s maritime impacts will include tropical storm/gale force winds, large waves, and high rain probabilities across both the nearshore and offshore waters through the weekend.

A Tropical Storm Warning and a Hurricane Watch remains in effect for the nearshore waters surrounding Big Island, including the Alenuihaha Channel, while a Tropical Storm Watch remains in effect for the waters of Maui County including the Kaiwi Channel. A Small Craft Advisory remains in effect for the remainder of the near coastal waters and channels surrounding Kauai and Oahu.

Hurricane Nolo will produce a moderate size, long period south swell that will result in surf exceeding High Surf Advisory thresholds along exposed southern shores, initially for Big Island today and tomorrow, and then possibly expanding westward across the state early next week. Strong trades will likely result in advisory level surf for the eastern islands east and southeast facing shores through tomorrow, potentially expanding to remaining islands this weekend, as stronger winds expand westward. A High Surf Advisory will remain in effect for the east and southeast facing shores of Big Island, Maui and Molokai. For the western islands, a small southwest swell will build in today and hold into the weekend.

A small, long period northwest swell will fill in this weekend and keep surf slightly elevated along north and west-facing shores into early next week. Finally, dangerously large wind waves will produce a rough and choppy sea state for much of the area the next several days, with the largest waves expected around Maui County and Big Island.

 

>>> Highest Temperature Thursday, September 24, 2026 – 110 degrees near Tecopa, CA


>>>
Lowest Temperature Thursday, September 24, 2026 – 24 degrees at Peter Sinks, UT

 

Rainbow through rain on Maui, Hawaii | Had to stop with abou… | Flickr


World-wide Tropical Cyclone Activity

 



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




Atlantic Ocean: 

Tropical cyclone (Fay) is located about 1040 miles west-southwest of the Azores

 

FAY SLIGHTLY STRONGER

According to the NHC advisory number 22

Fay is moving toward the west near 3 mph. A gradual turn to the west-southwest then southwest at a slower forward speed is expected over the next few of days. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 60 mph with higher gusts. Some slight strengthening is possible over the next few hours. Gradual weakening, however, is still expected through the weekend. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 80 miles from the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1002 mb (29.59 inches).

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Tropical cyclone (Gonzalo) is located about 115 miles south of Sal Cabo Verde 

 

GONZALO SPREADING GUSTY WINDS ACROSS THE CABO VERDE ISLANDS

According to the NHC advisory number 3

Gonzalo is moving toward the north-northwest near 10 mph. This general motion is expected to continue over the next few days, with a slower forward speed this weekend. On the forecast track, the center will pass near or over portions of the Cabo Verde Islands later today and tonight. Maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph with higher gusts. Little change in strength is expected today. A gradual weakening trend is forecast to begin tonight and continue through the weekend. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 205 miles primarily to the northeast of the center. The official observing station on Sal in the Cabo Verde Islands recently reported a sustained wind of 32 mph with a gust to 45 mph. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1000 mb (29.53 inches).

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Caribbean Sea: There are no active tropical cyclones


Gulf of America:
There are no active tropical cyclones

 

Northeast Pacific:

Tropical cyclone 16E (Odalys) is located about 995 miles west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California


CATEGORY 4 HURRICANE ODALYS HEADING NORTH-NORTHEASTWARD

According to the NHC advisory number 23

Odalys is moving toward the north-northeast near 6 mph, with a turn to the north expected to occur over the next couple of days. Maximum sustained winds are near 130 mph with higher gusts. Odalys is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some intensity fluctuations are possible through this evening. A gradual weakening trend is forecast to commence over the weekend. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 150 miles. The estimated minimum central pressure is 946 mb (27.94 inches).

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Tropical cyclone 17E (Polo) is located about 410 miles south-southeast of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

POLO IS AN EXTREMELY POWERFUL CATEGORY 5 HURRICANE…INTERESTS IN BAJA CALIFORNIA SUR SHOULD MONITOR ITS PROGRESS

According to the NHC advisory number 20

Polo is moving toward the west near 12 mph, and this motion is expected to continue through today. A gradual turn to the northwest and north is forecast on Saturday and Sunday, followed by a northeastward motion on Monday. On the forecast track, Polo is expected to approach Baja California Sur early next week. Maximum sustained winds are near 180 mph with higher gusts. Polo is a category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Fluctuations in intensity are possible today, but some weakening is expected over the weekend. Polo is forecast to approach Baja California Sur as a strong hurricane early next week. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 40 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles The estimated minimum central pressure is 900 mb (26.58 inches).

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>>> South of the Gulf of Tehuantepec:

An area of low pressure is expected to form within the next day or two to the south of the Gulf of Tehuantepec. Afterward, environmental conditions appear favorable for gradual development, and a tropical depression is expected to form late this weekend or early next week while the system moves slowly west-northwestward to northwestward, parallel to the coast of southern and southwestern Mexico.

* Formation chance through 48 hours…medium…40 percent
* Formation chance through 7 days…high…90 percent

 

Central North Pacific:

Tropical Cyclone 15E (Nolo) is located about 175 miles south of South Point, Hawaii

LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING POSSIBLE AND DAMAGING WAVES LIKELY ON THE BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII OVER THE WEEKEND FROM NOLO

According to the NHC advisory number 21

Nolo is moving toward the north- northeast near 5 mph, and this general motion with a decrease in forward speed is expected through tonight. A turn towards the west with an increase in forward speed is forecast Saturday and Sunday. On the forecast track, the center of Nolo will remain well south of the main Hawaiian Islands. Maximum sustained winds are near 105 mph with higher gusts. Nolo is forecast to strengthen into a major hurricane this weekend, and could further intensify early next week. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles. The estimated minimum central pressure is 978 mb (28.88 inches).

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND 

WIND: Tropical storm conditions are expected to begin by tonight in the warning area, with hurricane conditions possible by early Saturday, particularly in areas of steep terrain.

RAINFALL: For the eastern and southern portions of the Big Island, Nolo will produce rainfall totals of 10 to 15 inches with maximum amounts of 25 inches. This rainfall could produce catastrophic life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain.

For the western portions of the Big Island, rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches with maximum amounts of 8 inches are expected. For Maui, rainfall totals of 4 to 6 inches with maximum amounts of 10 inches are expected. Life-threatening flooding and mudslides are possible, especially in areas of high terrain.

Across the remainder of the Hawaiian Islands, rainfall totals of 1 to 3 inches with isolated maximum amounts of 6 inches are expected with isolated flooding possible.

STORM SURGE: The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the 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…

Hawaii County…1 to 3 ft

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

SURF: Swells generated by Nolo are expected to reach exposed east- and south-facing shores of the Big Island today, spreading westward and building through the weekend. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

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>>> Well East-Southeast of the Hawaiian Islands:

A broad area of low pressure is forecast to form about 1000 miles east-southeast of the Hawaiian Islands over the weekend. Environmental conditions appear favorable for gradual development of this system, and a tropical depression could form late this weekend or early next week. The system is forecast to move generally northeastward, remaining well east-southeast of the Hawaiian Islands.

* Formation chance through 48 hours…low…20 percent
* Formation chance through 7 days…medium…50 percent

 

Northwest Pacific Ocean:

Tropical Cyclone 25W (Surigae)…is located approximately 307 NM south of Kadena AB

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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

 

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



Interesting: 
DIY Filter Systems Improve Air Quality in Classrooms

Tests in university classes show that simple, low-cost systems can remove airborne particles with little disruption from fan noise.

As students return to school and cold and flu season begins, researchers are studying ways to improve indoor air quality and reduce the risk of airborne disease transmission. A study in ACS ES&T Air reports test results of do-it-yourself (DIY) air filters, known as Corsi-Rosenthal Boxes, in university class sessions. The units reduced particulate matter across the occupied classroom by 61%, produced minimal noise, and were more affordable than commercial portable air purifiers.

“Corsi-Rosenthal Boxes are a safe, highly effective tool for improving indoor air quality without disrupting the learning environment.” – Misti Zamora

Read More: American Chemical Society

Image: A C-R Box is made from a standard box fan, four high-efficiency filters, two pieces of cardboard, and tape, creating a device that can improve air quality in active classrooms.