Air Temperatures – The following maximum temperatures (F) were recorded across the state of Hawaii Sunday…along with the minimums Sunday:

87 – 77  Lihue, Kauai
90 – 78  Honolulu, Oahu – the all time record Sunday was 91…set back in 1984
87 – 73  Molokai
90 – 78  Kahului, Maui – the all time record Sunday was 94…set back in 1952
89 – 79  Kailua Kona
79 – 73  Hilo, Hawaii

Here are the latest 24-hour precipitation totals (inches) for each of the islands, as of Sunday evening:

0.25  Mount Waialeale, Kauai
0.11  Oahu Forest NWR, Oahu
0.17  Puu Alii, Molokai
0.00  Lanai
0.00  Kahoolawe
0.04  Kahakuloa, Maui
2.12  kawainui Stream, Big Island

The following numbers represent the strongest wind gusts (mph)…as of Sunday evening:

21  Poipu, Kauai – NE
32  Kuaokala, Oahu – NE
27  Molokai – NE
35  Lanai – NE
35  Kahoolawe – NE
30  Kapalua, Maui – NE
29  Kealakomo, Big Island – NNE

Hawaii’s Mountains – Here’s a link to the live web cam on the summit of near 13,800 foot Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii. This web cam is available during the daylight hours here in the islands…and when there’s a big moon shining down during the night at times. Plus, during the nights you will be able to see stars, and the sunrise and sunset too… depending upon weather conditions.


Aloha Paragraphs

http://weather.unisys.com/satellite/sat_ir_enh_west_loop-12.gif
Weakening Tropical Storm Guillermo east-southeast

Real time wind profile of TS Guillermo and the Hawaiian Islands

http://www.prh.noaa.gov/cphc/tc_graphics/2015/graphics/EP092015W.gif

 

http://www.prh.noaa.gov/cphc/tc_graphics/2015/probwinds/EP092015_PROB34_F120.gif

http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/goes/west/cpac/vis.jpg
The low cloud swirl associated with former tropical depression 08E
is to the southwest of Hawaii…with tropical storm Guillermo to the
east-southeast – Looping version


http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/goes/west/hi/vis.jpg
Clear to partly cloudy over the islands…with clouds
impacting parts of the Big Island and Maui County –
along with the leading edge of approaching tropical
storm Guillermo east-southeast – Looping version


http://radar.weather.gov/Conus/RadarImg/hawaii.gif
Showers locally in our vicinity…most of which are
falling along the windward sides
looping radar image

High Surf Advisory…east shores

Hydrologic Outlook…heavy rain, thunderstorms, and
flash flooding possible Wednesday and Thursday

~~~ Hawaii Weather Narrative ~~~



The trade winds will remain active…and then become interrupted by the circulation of tropical cyclone Guillermo Wednesday through Thursday. Here’s the latest weather map, showing the Hawaiian Islands, and the rest of the North Pacific Ocean, along with a real-time wind profiler of the central Pacific. We find a large, moderately strong, near 1027 millibar high pressure system well to the north-northeast of the state. At the same time, we have troughs/low pressure systems to the south, east, and east-southeast of our islands. We’ll see active trade winds today into Tuesday morning, as a weak low pressure system moves by to the south of the state. As weakening Guillermo moves closer to the state, our winds will likely become blustery as this storm takes a path through the state late Tuesday through Thursday. Thereafter, the trade winds will fill back in over the state, in the wake of Guillermo’s passage beginning Friday into next weekend…and beyond.

The deeper tropics remain active with many areas of low pressure. The closest area at the moment is former tropical cyclone 08E. This area of low clouds is passing by southwest of the Hawaii. This in turn is bringing showers over parts of the Big Island and Maui County, which will continue through the night. At the same time, as this weak low pressure vortex moves by to our south, it will help to keep our trade winds blowing somewhat stronger than they would otherwise be.

Tropical Storm Guillermo remains active here in the central Pacific…although continues to weaken. Here’s a satellite image of this storm, along with the looping version…and finally what the computer models are showing. It still looks as if this tropical cyclone will move close to, or through the islands early Wednesday through Thursday…first on the Big Island. If the forecast track remains similar to what it is now, a reduced tropical storm Guillermo will bring his tropical weather our way through the mid-week period. If this occurs as presently forecast, we will find heavy, potentially flooding rainfall…and blustery tropical storm force (40-73 mph) winds across parts of the state then.

Meanwhile, in the marine environment, we’re now beginning to see rising surf along our east facing shores, from swells generated by this approaching hurricane, which will continue into the new week. I strongly suggest that we pay close attention to this upcoming weather event, as it looks destined to bring inclement conditions to our state. Finally, and with things so worked-up over tropical storms and such, we should remember that August is the most active month of the year…in regards to tropical cyclones!

I’ll be back with more updates on all of the above and below, I hope you have a great Sunday night wherever you’re spending it! Aloha for now…Glenn.

Here on Maui…It’s 615am Sunday morning, skies are mostly clear, although there are low clouds along our windward sides. The air temperature here in Kula, at my upcountry weather tower was 60.6 degrees, while it was 79 down at the Kahului airport, and 77 out in Hana…with a cooler 46 up at the summit of the Haleakala Crater at about the same time.

– We’ve pushed into the early afternoon hours of Sunday, under mostly sunny skies and brisk trade winds blowing. There are a few cloud patches around, which become a little more congregated along our windward sides. It’s one of those unusually sunny days here in paradise…perhaps the calm before the storm! Speaking of which, it shouldn’t be much longer before this category 1 hurricane downshifts into a tropical storm.

– As was the case all day today, our skies were remarkably cloud free, as we head towards towards sunset with almost totally clear skies! I just talked to a friend over in Haiku, on the windward side of east Maui…and she said it was cloudy over there, and windy.

Friday Evening Film: There are several good films showing, although they are just opening, and will very likely be too crowded at the start of their run. I’m going with Jeff and Svetlana, his girlfriend who is here from Germany again, and another lady friend of ours. We’re going to see what essentially is a teen flick, called Paper Towns, starring Nate Wolff, Cara Delevingne, Halston Sage…among many others. The synopsis: Paper Towns is a coming-of-age story centering on Quentin and his enigmatic neighbor Margo, who loved mysteries so much she became one. After taking him on an all-night adventure through their hometown, Margo suddenly disappears–leaving behind cryptic clues for Quentin to decipher. The search leads Quentin and his quick-witted friends on an exhilarating adventure that is equal parts hilarious and moving. Ultimately, to track down Margo, Quentin must find a deeper understanding of true friendship–and true love.

This turned out to be a cute film, and I ended up liking it somewhat more than I thought that I might. One of the things that I particularly liked was the sensitivity displayed by the actors for each others well being. These teenagers spoke very openly about their individual vulnerabilities…which was very refreshing. The three of us were the only older adults in the theater audience, which was rather unique, although not embarrassing. My teenage years were so different than what I was seeing on the screen, and made it fun for me personally to witness. The three boys, who were the main actors in the film, had a good chemistry going on, although the two girls in the film, weren’t so well cast in my opinion. They were cute to look at of course, although somehow just didn’t completely fit in as tightly as the boys. At any rate, Svetlana gave it a soft B grade, Jeff and I both rated it a soft B+. If you have any interest, here’s the trailer for this light weight…yet fun little film.


World-wide tropical cyclone activity:

>>> Atlantic Ocean: There are no active tropical cyclones

Here’s a satellite image of the Atlantic Ocean

>>> Caribbean Sea: There are no active tropical cyclones

>>> Gulf of Mexico: There are no active tropical cyclones

1.)  A weak area of low pressure located over north-central Florida continues to produce disorganized showers and thunderstorms across portions of central Florida and the northeastern Gulf of Mexico. Upper-level winds are not expected to be conducive for development as this low moves northeastward at 5 to 10 mph near the southeastern United States coast during the next couple of days. Regardless of development, this system is expected to produce heavy rainfall across portions of central and northeastern Florida today…along with the NHC 5-day outlook graphic.

* Formation chance through 48 hours…low…10 percent
* Formation chance through 5 days…low…10 percent

Here’s a satellite image of the Caribbean Sea…and the Gulf of Mexico

Tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 5 days over the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea or Atlantic Ocean

Here’s the link to the National Hurricane Center (NHC)

>>> Eastern Pacific: There are no active tropical cyclones

1.)  Cloudiness and showers associated with an area of low pressure located about 1000 miles south-southwest of the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula have increased some in organization since yesterday. Environmental conditions are expected to be conducive for continued gradual development of this system over the next few days while it moves west-northwestward at 10 to 15 mph.

Here’s a satellite image of this area in the eastern Pacific

* Formation chance through 48 hours…low…30 percent
* Formation chance through 5 days…high…70 percent

Here’s a wide satellite image that covers the entire area between Mexico, out through the central Pacific…to the International Dateline.

Here’s the link to the National Hurricane Center (NHC)

>>> Central Pacific:

Tropical Storm 09E (Guillermo) remains active, with sustained winds of 70 mph, and is located about 630 miles east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii. TS Guillermo will gradually be weakening going forward. Here’s a satellite image…and what the computer models are showing.

1.)  A weak low pressure area, the remnant of post-tropical cyclone 08E, was located about 550 miles south-southwest of Honolulu, Hawaii. This feature was moving west at 10 to 15 miles an hour. Atmospheric conditions are expected to remain unfavorable for redevelopment over the next couple of days..

* Formation chance through 48 hours, low…10 percent

2.)  Isolated thunderstorms had been occurring in the vicinity of a weak low pressure area centered about 1325 miles west-southwest of Honolulu, Hawaii. This area was moving west around 10 miles an hour. Upper level winds will likely inhibit tropical cyclone development in this area over the next couple of days.

* Formation chance through 48 hours, low…near 0 percent

~~~ Here’s a link to a satellite image …showing these three areas above ^^^

Here’s a link to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC)


>>> Northwest Pacific Ocean:

Super Typhoon 13W (Soudelor) remains active, located about 268 NM west-northwest of Saipan, CNMI. Here’s the JTWC graphical track map…and asatellite image…and what the computer models are showing.

Tropical Depression 14W remains active, located about 290 NM south-southeast of Yokosuka, Japan. Here’s the JTWC graphical track map...and a satellite image...and what the computer models are showing.

>>> South Pacific Ocean:  

Tropical Cyclone 01P is now active, located about 548 NM northwest of Suva, Fiji. Here’s the JTWC graphical track map...and a satellite image...and what the computer models are showing.


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

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

Interesting:  UN adopts resolution to attack wildlife crime – Faced with an unprecedented surge in wildlife crime, the UN this week adopted a historic resolution committing all countries to ramp up their collective efforts to end the global poaching crisis and tackle the vast illegal wildlife trade.   Initiated by Gabon and Germany and co-sponsored by 84 other nations, the UN General Assembly resolution, Tackling the Illicit Trafficking in Wildlife, is the result of three years of diplomatic efforts and is the first time that every nation has acknowledged the seriousness of wildlife crime and the urgent need to join forces to combat it.  

“The UN resolution marks a new phase in the fight against wildlife crime, which is threatening countless species with extinction while jeopardizing national security and sustainable development,” said Marco Lambertini, Director General of WWF International. “This landmark resolution proves that ending wildlife crime is no longer just an ‘environmental’ issue and not just limited to a few countries: it has become a priority for every nation.”

With elephant populations collapsing in Mozambique and Tanzania and record numbers of rhinos being killed in South Africa, the poaching crisis is clearly undermining global conservation efforts. But the UN resolution also spells out the broader effects of wildlife crime, which undermines good governance, the rule of law and the well-being of local communities as well as financing criminal networks and funding armed conflict.

“Just weeks before the UN meets to finalize the Sustainable Development Goals, it is significant that every country has signed up to tackle the growing threat organized wildlife crime poses to sustainable development,” said Lambertini.
 
Recognizing that only a comprehensive approach can curb the current crisis, all 193 UN member states agreed to enhance regional and international cooperation along the entire illegal wildlife trade chain, including measures to stop the poaching, trafficking and buying.
 
Along with strengthening judicial processes and law enforcement, the resolution encourages countries to actively involve local communities in the fight against the illicit trade by enhancing their rights and capacity to manage and benefit from wildlife resources.“Nepal has already proved that this comprehensive approach works, having achieved three years of zero poaching of rhinos since 2011 thanks to a combination of high-level political will, dedicated rangers, and genuine community participation – now it is up to other countries to follow Nepal’s lead and the measures outlined in this historic resolution,” said Elisabeth McLellan, Head of the Wildlife Crime Initiative, WWF International.
 
Attracted by the relatively low risks and high returns, organized crime networks have muscled their way into the illegal wildlife trade, bringing with them more sophisticated poaching and trafficking methods – and greater violence and corruption.In response, the resolution highlights the transnational and organized nature of crimes that impact the environment and stresses the need for countries to counter corruption and address money laundering linked to wildlife crime.
 
“If countries fully implement the resolution, wildlife crime will become far riskier and far less rewarding,” said McLellan. ”The resolution’s strong reporting mechanism should ensure that real progress is made and that any critical gaps are effectively addressed.”
 
Starting in 2016, the UN secretary general is tasked with presenting an annual report on global wildlife crime and countries’ implementation of the resolution, together with recommendations for further action. Already lined up for debate next year is the possible appointment of a special envoy – a move that WWF believes would promote greater awareness and help hold countries to account.
 
“WWF has played a key role in shifting global attitudes towards wildlife crime over recent years, highlighting its impact on communities and on dwindling populations of elephants, rhinos, tigers and other species,” said Lambertini. “WWF will now focus on assisting countries in their crucial efforts to implement the resolution and help end the terrible global scourge that is wildlife crime, once and for all.”