February 28-March 1 2006

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

Lihue, Kauai – 76F
Honolulu, Oahu – 78
Kaneohe, Oahu – 76
Kahului, Maui – 82
Hilo, Hawaii – 71
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii – 82

Temperatures early Wednesday morning ranged between these warmest and coolest spots near sea level at the 4 a.m. hour:

Lihue, Kauai – 73
Kahului airport – 66

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

6.27 MOUNT WAIALEALE, KAUAI
1.14 NUUANU UPPER, OAHU
0.00 MOLOKAI
0.00 LANAI
0.00 KAHOOLAWE
0.16 KAUPO GAP, MAUI
1.27 GLENWOOD, BIG ISLAND

Weather Chart — Here’s the latest (automatically updated) weather map…showing a high pressure system far NNW of the islands. This high has an elongated ridge running from its center SE to a location well offshore to the east and NE of the islands. At the same time we have a pair of lows, one far to the NE, and another far to the WNW, with light to moderate and locally gusty winds from the SE…with island blocking happening downstream from the Big Island and Maui in places. 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 animated radar image.

Aloha Paragraphs



Big Island coastal view

The threat of showers remains intact over the Hawaiian Islands now. However, rather than a widespread rain event, it will likely arrive in a more hit and miss fashion. This doesn’t mean though that there might not be some locally heavy showers. We’ll see variably cloudy skies, and with the winds now having become SE, there will be relatively warm air temperatures. This SE wind flow will bring lots of rich tropical moisture into the state, which will act to feed whatever showers that are around.

At the same time, SE winds often carry a considerable amount of volcanic haze up over the islands, from the Big Island vent. Thus, it’s liable to be rather hazy, with often the most dense portion over Maui County. These SE winds will be locally quite strong and gusty, especially where they impact the coasts and slopes most directly. There is a small craft advisory in force at the moment in response to these potentially gusty breezes. Downwind from the Big Island and Maui will find island blocking of the winds, with possibly lighter wind speeds occurring.

The computer forecast models haven’t been able to make up their minds very well lately. They have been spewing out direct forecast solutions almost on a daily basis, and aren’t in good agreement within the model ensembles either. As a result, there remains some degree of uncertainty around exactly how this week’s weather will unfold. With that said, it appears likely that there will be showers around, some of which could be locally heavy here and there. The SE sides of each of the islands should be where the most showers end up through about Thursday.

As we move into Friday, the SE winds are expected to turn back towards the trade wind direction. This should mark the beginning of an improving weather cycle. The windward sides may still find some passing showers though, which is typical for a trade wind weather pattern. The leeward sides in contrast, will then start to see less cloudiness, and return to their mostly dry status. I don’t see any cool weather on the horizon, with generally warm and somewhat muggy weather prevailing for the time being. The trade winds will bring back better visibilities, cleaning the atmosphere with its refreshing breezes.

It’s early Tuesday evening here in Kula, Maui.  It was a variably cloudy day here on Maui, although mostly dry from what I could see. During my lunch break in Kihei I made it to the beach. I must admit, after yesterday’s shark attack at Makena Beach, I was paying close attention to my surroundings when I took my swim…and was bodysurfing a few waves. You may already know about this, but during the last week, there have been two incidents involving sharks along the south coast near Makena. Monday’s attack took place in knee deep water at Big Beach, when a young girl received a 15 inch gash on her leg. At any rate, fortunately the water was very clear today, and I could keep an eye out for anything large that might have been lurking nearby. I’m always aware of sharks whenever I go in the ocean, although after living here in the islands for the last 30+ years, I’ve never seen one! I hope it stays that way, and for you too. I’m about to go eat dinner with my neighbors now, so I really must end this sunset commentary. I hope you have a lovely Tuesday night, and that you will meet me here again Wednesday at some point. Aloha for now…Glenn.