Weather Details and Aloha Paragraphs

September 27-28 2006

Air Temperatures – The following maximum temperatures were recorded across Hawaii Wednesday:

Lihue, Kauai – 83F
Honolulu, Oahu – 86
Kaneohe, Oahu – 83
Kahului, Maui – 89
Hilo, Hawaii – 82
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii – 86

KANEOHE, OAHU – 77
HILO AIRPORT – 72

Precipitation Totals – The following numbers represent the largest precipitation totals (inches) during the last 24 hours (as of Thursday morning) on each of the major islands:

Weather Chart – Here’s the latest (automatically updated) weather map…showing a 1028 millibar high pressure center located far to the NE…well offshore from the northern California coast. This high pressure cell, with its associated ridge will give us light to moderate trade winds through Friday…locally gusty during the afternoon hours.  Here’s a Weather Map Symbol page for clarification about what all those weather symbols mean on the map.

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 cloud conditions.

Satellite Images – To view the cloud conditions we have here in Hawaii, please use the following satellite links, starting off with the 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…out from the islands. To help you keep track of where any showers may be around the islands, here’s the latest animated radar image.

Tropical Cyclone Activity – The eastern Pacific hurricane season runs from May 15 through November 30…while the central Pacific (where Hawaii is) runs from June 1 through November 30. The latest storm information for the eastern Pacific can be found by clicking here. A storm tracking map for both the central and eastern areas can be found by clicking here . For the central Pacific, the latest storm information can be found by clicking here.

 

I hope you don’t mind getting your feet wet!
Photo Credit: flikr.com

The trade winds will remain active, blowing in the light to moderately strong range for the time being. We find rather weak high pressure systems located to the north, NE, and east of our Hawaiian Islands now. These high pressure cells will keep our winds on the light side, although a little gusty along the windward sides during the afternoon hours. The latest forecast shows them calming down again later this upcoming weekend, as an early season kona low pressure system forms to our west or NW…with SE winds expected then. 

The localized heavy showers of late will be less likely today, although there could still be a pretty good one here and there…especially on Kauai.  During the last 24 hours we’ve seen some locally heavy rain falling in spots, although this hasn’t been a widespread event. The largest amount was an incredible 9.00 inches in the Koolau  Mountains of Oahu! We may see some locally heavy showers again this morning, or perhaps during the afternoon hours around the mountains…although the dynamics are gradually becoming less favorable for that as we move forward.

The latest computer forecast models continue to show conditions improving, with a trade wind weather pattern on tap for Thursday into Friday. Those same models are still wanting to develop a ow pressure system to our west or NW  this weekend into early next week. It’s placement may qualify it for Kona type Low, which could bring in another round of showers then. This prospect is still somewhat sketchy, although there remains the definite chance of locally heavy precipitation across the island chain Saturday and Sunday.

It’s early Wednesday evening here in Kula, Maui, as I start writing this sunset commentary.   Wow, I just enjoyed another great sunset from out on my weather deck…which have been just phenomenal all this week! Once again I’m listening to classical piano music, which somehow fits so nicely here upcountry. If I was down near the beach, like where that picture is above, it would probably be fitting to listen to Hawaiian music, and perhaps be sipping on some sort of tropical cocktail, with the waves lapping on my feet. The spotty heavy rains across the state yesterday, were restricted to Kauai this morning, with the entire state drying out this afternoon. I’d say we’re heading into a nice couple of days ahead, with just normal trade wind weather prevailing. As mentioned above, as we move into the weekend, there’s that chance of increasing clouds and showers again. Let’s not cement that prospect in just yet, but not consider it out of the question either.  I should have a better feeling for it Thursday, stay tuned. As you’ll note below, we’re starting to see the sure signs of the end of summer, even way down here in the tropics! I hope you have a very pleasant Wednesday night, and that you will meet me back here during the new day ahead, when I’ll have your new narrative waiting as sure as the sun will rise over the Haleakala Crater. Aloha for now…Glenn.

Note: The summits of the Big Island had their first snowfall of the autumn season early Wednesday morning!

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