February 25-26 2006

Air Temperatures — The following maximum temperatures were recorded across Hawaii Saturday:

Lihue, Kauai – 77F
Honolulu, Oahu – 79
Kaneohe, Oahu – 77
Kahului, Maui – 81
Hilo, Hawaii – 77
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii – 82

Temperatures early Sunday morning ranged between these warmest and coolest spots near sea level at the 5 a.m. hour:

Kailua-kona – 74
Hilo airport – 68

Precipitation Totals — The following numbers represent the largest precipitation totals during the last 24 hours (as of Sunday morning) on each of the major islands, including:

0.23 MOUNT WAIALEALE, KAUAI
0.01 KAMEHAME, OAHU
0.00 MOLOKAI
0.00 LANAI
0.00 KAHOOLAWE
0.00 MAUI
0.02 GLENWOOD, BIG ISLAND

Weather Chart — Here’s the latest (automatically updated) weather map…showing a strong high pressure system far NNW of the islands. This high has an elongated ridge running from its center SE to near the islands. At the same time we have a pair of lows, one far to the NE, and another to the NW, with light east winds from the ridge squeezing through the lows. This will give us mostly light trade wind breezes, possibly stronger this evening into Monday. Here’s a Weather Map Symbol page for clarification about what all those funny weather symbols mean.

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 only available during the daylight hours here in the islands…that is unless there’s a big moon rising just after sunset for an hour or two!

Satellite Images — To view the cloud conditions we have here in Hawaii, please use the following satellite links, starting off with the Infrared Satellite Imageof the islands to see all the clouds around the state. This next satellite image is one that gives close images of the islands only during the daytime hours, and is referred to as a Close-up visible satellite image. The next satellite 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 radar image.

Aloha Paragraphs


Hula dancing on the beach
Photo: Randy Jay Braun

The Hawaiian Islands will see increasing high cirrus clouds this weekend into next week. The latest weather maps show the islands still positioned between low pressure centers to our east and west. At the same time, we find a strong high pressure system located far to the NW of Hawaii. This pressure configuration will provide mostly light NE winds, gradually becoming easterly Saturday…then stronger from the SE as we move forward into the new week coming up.


We’ll see variably cloudy weather, with a few passing showers along our windward coasts and slopes. The leeward sides will see much less showery clouds, with many areas remaining dry for the time being. As a matter of fact, those south and west facing coasts will continue to see fairly nice weather conditions, albeit it getting cloudier this weekend into the new week ahead. The warmest beaches in those areas will see air temperatures rising into the middle 80F’s…which isn’t too bad for winter!


The computer forecast models show gradually cloudier skies developing into the future. As we move into the new week ahead, things begin to look more unsettled.  They suggest that a rather prolonged, and at times widespread rainy period will start by Tuesday, continuing off and on for several days thereafter…accompanied by gusty SE winds. The most likely time for the heaviest showers would be in the later Tuesday into Wednesday or Thursday time frame.


The current weather outlook is a complex one. It certainly doesn’t help much that the computer forecast models have had a loose grasp of what’s happening, and have been changing their tune on a regular basis lately! At any rate, it still looks like next week will be cloudier than usual, with wetter than normal conditions at times too. The winds will be blowing from an unusual SE direction, which could bring gusty winds and some volcanic haze to the islands as well. I should say that next week won’t be a total wash, as whatever showers that fall will likely be hit and miss, and off and on in character.  

It’s early Saturday evening here in Kula, Maui.  Weatherwise, it has gotten progressively cloudier as we’ve moved through the day…although dry. Today’s high point, at least thus far, has been the surfing I got to do this morning. It was soooo good to ride waves again on my surfboard! I typically bodysurf in Kihei during my lunch break, however a trip over to the west side was a pleasant change of scenery. I surfed a spot called 1000 peaks, which is my favorite place to ride waves on Maui. I met many nice people at the beach today, folks saying that they liked my TV weather show and this website too. One couple from Long Island NY, was particularly fun to talk to out in the water. They mentioned that they had contributed to last years donation drive…so I was giving them their choice of waves.Smile  Sunday morning I have a kayak trip to the west side planned with my old kayaking friend from Haiku. We’re going to paddle out to where the whales may be playing. I hope you have a great Saturday night! I’ll be back Sunday morning with updated information about next week’s potent wet weather. I have a friend who just arrived, we’re going to bbq some fresh fish, steam some asparagus and brocolli for dinner, then have good conversations as usual. Aloha for now…Glenn