Glenn James
Hawaii Weather Today
Founder and maintainer for 30 years 

 

The latest update to this website was at 153pm Tuesday (HST)

 

Here are the latest 24-hour precipitation totals (inches) for each of the islands as of Tuesday afternoon:

3.01  Waimea Tank, Kauai
0.28  Punaluu Pump, Oahu
0.00  Molokai
0.00  Lanai
5.77   Hana AP, Maui
0.43  Pahoa, Big Island

The following numbers represent the strongest wind gusts (mph) as of Tuesday afternoon :

15  Mana, Kauai – NW
18  Kaneohe, Oahu – ENE
22  Makapulapai, Molokai – E
13  Lanai 1,  Lanai – SSW
23  Na Kula, Maui – SE
32  Mauna Loa Obs, Big Island  

Hawaii’s Mountains – Here’s a link to the live webcams on the summit of our tallest mountain Mauna Kea (~13,800 feet high) on the Big Island of Hawaii, and atop the Haleakala Crater (~10,023 feet) 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.

 

https://weather.gc.ca/data/satellite/goes_gwdisk11_1070_100.jpg

Big Blue…click twice for largest version

 

https://cdn.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/GOES18/ABI/SECTOR/tpw/13/GOES18-TPW-13-900x540.gif

A cold front northwest…high clouds coming in from the west

 

https://cdn.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/GOES18/ABI/SECTOR/hi/GEOCOLOR/20260971440-20260972230-GOES18-ABI-HI-GEOCOLOR-600x600.gif

Developing cumulus and thunderstorms near and to the north of Kauai

 

https://radar.weather.gov/ridge/standard/HAWAII_loop.gif

https://radar.weather.gov/ridge/standard/PHKI_loop.gif

https://radar.weather.gov/ridge/standard/PHKM_loop.gif

  Showers locally…some heavy

 

Please open this link to see details on the current Watches, Warnings and Advisories noted above

~~~ Hawaii Weather Narrative ~~~

 

Glenn’s Tuesday comments:  I’m here in Bend, Oregon on a working vacation.

332am Hawaii time, I’m here at my friend Bob’s house. It’s clear with high cirrus clouds and provided a very colorful sunrise, with a 45.5 degree low. BTW, when I say Hawaii time, it is 3-hours later here in Oregon.

123pm Hawaii time, It’s a bit cooler today, which is fine with me. Bob hung around his place all morning just rapping about weather and politics and everything else under the sun. Then we walked over our favorite coffee place, called the Commons and I had a dirty Chai. We then walked over to our favorite cafe, called Active Culture, where I had a great salad and a bowl of Potato Leek soup. We’re back at this place now, and as such, I updating this page on my website.

 

>>> Highest Temperature Monday, April 6, 2026 – 97 degrees at Death Valley, CA
>>> Lowest Temperature Tuesday, April 7, 2026 – minus 13 degrees at Big Bay, MI

 

Hawaii’s Broad Brush Weather Overview…as of 914am Tuesday:  Low pressure will draw deep tropical moisture over the state today. Waves of heavy rain capable of producing flash flooding are expected Wednesday through the end of the week. Southerly winds may become strong as well.

Short Term Update…as of 914am Tuesday: A band of moderate to locally heavy showers accompanies the mid-level wave that will advance through the area today. Showers have also anchored along Windward Haleakala on Maui, courtesy as moderate ESE winds maxmize convergence and orographic lift there. The upper wave will gradually lift to the NE taking meaningful forcing with it. At the same time, weak but steady warm/moist air will reduce stability and provide a background of modest forcing for ascent throughout the day.

This likely explains why the band of showers over Oahu appears to be gradually building southward, despite upper forcing already departing to the NE. These showers reached Oahu around mid-day. Elsewhere and otherwise, isolated to scattered showers will likely be ubiquitous through the day, but decreasing dynamic forcing precludes a widespread heavy rainfall threat.

 

Monthly Precipitation Summary / State of Hawaii / Month: February 2026

Headline: Very wet month for windward areas statewide with two main heavy rain/flooding events; leeward areas predominantly left out of the action.

February began under a weak subtropical ridge, producing light winds and stable conditions with limited cloud and shower development statewide. Strong and gusty southwest winds developed on the 2nd ahead of a fast-moving cold front, producing localized downslope wind gusts and scattered power outages in areas north and east of the mountains. The front moved quickly down the island chain overnight, bringing a brief period of locally heavy showers with totals generally one-half inch or less, locally up to one inch on O?ahu. Cooler, drier air and decreasing winds followed as the front dissipated near the Big Island. Dry weather and light winds persisted through the 5th.

Another approaching front shifted winds out of the south on the 6th and brought enhanced pre-frontal showers to portions of the smaller islands. The front moved through the western islands on the 7th and stalled near Maui through the 10th. Abundant moisture pooled along the boundary and, combined with instability from an upper-level disturbance, produced a prolonged period of heavy rainfall. Persistent north to northeast winds focused rainfall along windward and upslope areas, where three-day totals (ending at midnight HST on the 10th) commonly exceeded 4 inches. Swaths of 8 to 12+ inches occurred across windward portions of the Big Island, Maui, Molokai, and Oahu, with localized totals near 25 to 30 inches. Most of the rain fell on the 8th and 9th. Despite the large totals, rainfall rates were generally modest—around 1 to 2 inches per hour—limiting flash flooding impacts. Saturated soils did contribute to landslides near Waipio Valley and Laup?hoehoe. Strong northeast winds behind the front also produced scattered power outages and downed trees in wind-prone valleys and leeward mountain areas.

Breezy to locally windy trade winds prevailed from the 11th through the 19th with periodic windward and mountain showers. The wettest period occurred from the 14th through the 16th, when north and east slopes of Maui and the Big Island received roughly 0.75 to 1.5 inches of rain per day, with isolated higher amounts in favored terrain. Oahu and Kauai received lighter totals, mainly on the 15th.

A vigorous upper-level trough approached the island chain on the 20th, producing periods of heavy rain from Kauai to Maui that evening with rainfall rates generally between one-half and one inch per hour. Rising water levels along the Hanalei River briefly flooded portions of K?hi? Highway near the bridge in Hanalei after midnight on the 21st, forcing a temporary closure.

As the trough moved closer to the state later on the 21st, increasing instability and very cold temperatures aloft combined with strong orographic lift along the Koolau Mountains of O?ahu to produce an intense, nearly stationary band of heavy rain and thunderstorms along the upper windward slopes and ridgeline of the mountain range. The heaviest rainfall occurred between Maunawili and Hauula during the mid-morning and persisted for several hours. Rainfall rates commonly reached 2 to 4 inches per hour in that area, with brief peaks exceeding 6 inches per hour. Some notable rainfall rates across O?ahu include: Luluku with 17.07 inches in 6 hours (13.01 inches in 3 hours), USGS Moanalua RG with 13.44 inches in 6 hours (12.49 inches in 3 hours), and USGS Poamoho RG1 with 13.09 inches in 6 hours (8.10 inches in 3 hours). For some perspective, these 6-hour rainfall rates have a less than 1% chance of occurring in any given year. Those three sites also had the top three 24-hour totals for the entire state on the 21st (Luluku – 25.10 inches, Moanalua RG – 17.51 inches, and Poamoho RG1 – 16.32 inches). These extreme rainfall rates produced rapid stream rises and overwhelmed drainage systems.

Significant flash flooding occurred along windward O?ahu, particularly around K?ne?ohe, Wai?hole, and Waik?ne, where overflowing streams flooded roads, homes, and vehicles. Several roads closed, including the Likelike Highway off-ramp from the K?ne?ohe-bound H-3 Freeway. Floodwaters also affected parts of the North Shore near Waialua and Hale?iwa after runoff from the Koolau Mountains filled Wahiaw? Reservoir and overflowed its spillway, flooding nearby agricultural areas and portions of the Otake Camp community. Most homes there avoided major damage due to elevated construction.

Windward Molokai and Maui also received heavy rainfall during the event, though totals were lower than on Oahu. These areas generally recorded 2 to 7 inches, with the highest totals near H?na on Maui and in the H?lawa area of Molokai. Landslides were reported along the H?na Highway, temporarily closing the road while crews removed debris.

The upper trough lingered through the 23rd. Increasing trade winds interacting with lingering instability produced additional moderate to heavy showers over windward slopes of Maui County and the Big Island, where totals were in the neighborhood of 1 to 3 inches. Cooler, drier trade winds returned from the 24th through the 26th. Winds gradually weakened and shifted east-southeasterly during the final days of the month, allowing temperatures to warm slightly while shower activity decreased.

 

>>> FLOOD WATCH FOR ALL ISLANDS IN THE STATE OF HAWAII...
A deep layered trough will develop west of the islands and
draw abundant moisture northward as it strengthens on
today. Instability and upward forcing will enhance the
available moisture and bring the potential for heavy rain and
thunderstorms leading to flash flooding across all islands in
the state of Hawaii.
* WHAT...Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible.

* WHERE...Kauai, Niihau, Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, and
  the Big Island.

* WHEN...From Wednesday morning through Friday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Significant flooding may occur due to excessive rainfall
  and overflow of streams and drainages. Roads in several areas may
  be closed, along with property damage in urban or low lying spots
  due to runoff. Landslides may also occur in areas with steep
  terrain.


>>> Moderate to locally heavy showers moving in from south beginning today.
>>> Increased moisture will bring introduce heavy rain episodes an heighten the
risk of flash flooding.
>>> The most likely period for most significant impacts is Wednesday night through
early Friday.

 

Weather Details for the Hawaiian Islands…as of 329am Tuesday: Latest observations show an upper-level trough just northwest of the Hawaiian Islands slowly meandering eastward over the next several days, while ridging at the surface lingers northeast of the state. Finally, a cold front well west of the islands is forecast to track eastward into the vicinity over the course of the next day or so. Winds across the islands remains light to moderate along the windward side of all islands, while even lighter winds/land breezes hold place along on the leeward areas, especially along the Kona coastline of the Big Island due to wind blockage.

A broad surface trough is forecast to develop just ahead of the aforementioned front prior to its approach, resulting in the veering of southeast winds to become more southerly across the Hawaiian Islands. This will cause tropical moisture to be pulled in northward in the southerly flow. Additionally, a moisture band associated with the trough will also develop along side of Kauai and Niihau early this morning, bringing a chance of heavy shower activity. Guidance also supports some heavier showers and thunderstorms developing over the interior of most islands, given the mixture of daytime heating, sea breezes, and the shortwave trough ahead of the front.

As the upper-level trough exits to the east, tropical moisture continues being carried poleward, and may lead to periods of showers tonight through Wednesday morning. Upper-level forcing is forecast to strength again tomorrow, as another vigorous shortwave pivots the base of the previous trough. This may enhance lift over the region as a new surface low consolidates just west of the islands. The deep tropical moisture overspreading the state, combined with the increasing large-scale lifting, supports another widespread and organized rainfall event for the entire state. Because of this, a Flood Watch has been issued for all islands beginning Wednesday morning and lasting through Friday afternoon.

A Winter Storm Watch has also been issued beginning Wednesday morning for a combination of freezing rain and snow on the summits of the Big Island above 12,500 feet, lasting through Friday afternoon as well. There has been careful consideration for a Wind Advisory beginning Wednesday night as southerly winds begin to ramp up, especially in and around heavier showers and thunderstorms, but also in the vicinity of mountain ranges where downsloping gusts over northern and windward slopes can occur. Severe wind gusts (58+ mph) may be possible, though most areas will be in the range of 40 to 50 mph.

As the week comes to an end, model guidance seemingly appears to have come to an agreement compared to the previous run. The general consensus of the GFS and the ECWMF models show the latest pattern is expected to continue through the weekend into early next week, as the moisture band anchors over the state. Longer range models of the GFS finally show much of the rainfall clearing most of the islands by mid-week next week. Of important note, and as previous discussions have already mentioned, one important consideration with this week`s rainfall is antecedent conditions. The islands experienced significant flash flood events in recent weeks, and despite several days of drier trade wind weather, soils remain vulnerable in many areas. As a result, any time period of higher rainfall rates could quickly lead to enhanced runoff, renewed rises in streams and reservoirs, and localized flash flooding concerns.

 

Here’s a near real-time Wind Profile of the Pacific Ocean – Zoom Earth – along with a Closer View of the islands / Vog map animation / 8-Day Precipitation model

https://www.weather.gov/images/hfo/graphics/npac.gif

 

Hawaii’s Marine Environment…as of 329am Tuesday: Southeasterly winds have spread across the islands with a front stalling to the west of the islands. Winds are expected to increase out of the south Wednesday and Thursday, as a low develops across the stalled front. Showers, some locally heavy, will be possible through Friday, as a result of the southerly winds bringing tropical moisture to the north over the islands. Thunderstorms have developed in the offshore waters to the northwest of Kauai, and thunderstorms are possible over the offshore waters through at least Friday.

A moderate, long-period northwest swell will fill in, giving more of a boost to north shore surf through Wednesday. A small, short-period north-northeast swell will fill in before peaking Wednesday and subsiding Thursday. This overlap will make for some rough choppy conditions along north facing shores. A slightly larger, long-period south swell, will increase with a more noticeable increase Wednesday. Surf could reach advisory levels by Wednesday before slowly easing Thursday into the weekend. Strengthening southerly winds will make for rough and choppy surf by late week. East shore surf will remain small and below the seasonal average due to a lack of strong trade winds over and upstream of the islands, except for some wrap from the northerly swells.

 


World-wide Tropical Cyclone Activity

 

Atlantic Ocean:  There are no active tropical cyclones

Caribbean Sea:  There are no active tropical cyclones

Gulf of America:  There are no active tropical cyclones

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

 

Northeastern Pacific:  There are no active tropical cyclones

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

North Central Pacific: There are no active tropical cyclones

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

 

Northwest Pacific Ocean: There are no active tropical cyclones

 

Southwest Pacific Ocean: 

Tropical Cyclone 30P (Maila)…is located approximately 743 NM northeast of Cairns, Australia

https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/30P_071800sair.jpg

 

Tropical Cyclone 31P (Vaianu)…is located approximately 197 NM south-southwest  of Suva, Fiji

https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/products/31P_071800sair.jpg

 

North Indian Ocean:  There are no active tropical cyclones

South Indian Ocean:  There are no active tropical cyclones

Arabian Sea:  There are no active tropical cyclones

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

 

>>> Here’s a link to the Pacific Disaster Center’s (PDC Global) Weather Wall website

 

Interesting: For at least one species, cigarettes might actually be good for health.

For at least one species, cigarettes might actually be good for health.

While smoking is a well-known carcinogen, what’s less appreciated is that scientists have observed some species of birds adding bits of cigarettes to their nests. Scientists in Poland say they have discovered one possible reason why: The cigarettes might be boosting the health of nestlings by warding off parasites.

“Our study indicates that cigarette butts may be used by urban blue tits as an opportunistic adaptive strategy, mimicking the function of aromatic plant materials in parasite control,” the scientists write in a paper published earlier this year in Animal Behavior.

Add this to the mountain of evidence about how species are finding clever adaptations to urban life in the Anthropocene. There are glaring examples, such as raccoons turning into suburban “trash pandas.” There are more subtle cases, such as bacteria that have evolved to feed on plastic.

Then there’s the Eurasian blue tit. The showy little songbird, which resembles a chickadee dipped in blue and yellow paint, is a common site in much of Europe. It’s already shown a knack for adapting to human surroundings, frequenting bird feeders and artificial birdhouses. In the 1920’s, people in Britain discovered the birds were pecking through the foil covers of milk bottles delivered to doorsteps to feed on the thick layer of cream below.

More recently, scientists have observed a somewhat less wholesome habit. Blue tit nests are found to contain cigarette butts. Some of the birds have even been spotted building nests inside enclosed receptacles designed for people to throw away cigarette butts.

A group of Polish scientists who have a long-term project studying blue tits around that city, decided to try to figure out why these birds might be seeking out bits of trash contaminated with everything from arsenic to heavy metals.

One leading hypothesis was that the birds were using these butts as little pest repellents to ward off parasitic bugs such as mites, ticks and fleas that can infest nests and feed on the blood of young birds. In more natural settings, blue tits are known to add pieces of aromatic plants such as lavender and mint to their nests, and there is some evidence it improves nestling health. Scientists in Mexico have also found that house finches there appear to adorn their nests with cigarette butts to battle parasites such as ticks.

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