A destructive winter storm continues to pound the islands within the state of Hawaii with damaging winds, flooding rains, and heavy higher elevation snows. The weather is so severe that the government has declared an exceptionally rare “snow day”, shuttering all public schools across all islands throughout the state. Universities and state and county offices and services are also closed for the day.
A variety of meteorological ingredients are coming together to create stormy conditions in the land of aloha. At the surface, a trough of low pressure is located a few hundred miles southwest of the state, while a 1036 mb high is centered well to the north of the islands. The sharp gradient remains strong , with breezy to windy conditions affecting much of the state. The strongest winds continue to be over and downwind of the higher terrain, through valleys, and in other local acceleration areas, where frequent wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph have been occurring overnight.
All islands have been battered by the strong winds, which has put thousands of people in the dark as wires snap and fall or are knocked down by falling limbs and trees. On the Big Island of Hawaii, Kohala Ranch reported 59 mph winds while Waikoloa reported 51 mph. On Maui, Mokolelau reported a gust of 73 mph while Lanai Airport measured 66 mph. On Oahu, Honolulu reported 60 mph while Waianaea Valley reported 53 mph.
Extraordinarily heavy rain has fallen across the state too. On Hawaii Island, 16.16″ was measured at Laupahoehoe. Honokaa reported 9.94″ while nearby Waimea has 3.57″. Kahua Rach had 2.68″ while Glenwood had 2.18″. On Oahu, Kahana had 4.16″, Kaneohe had 2.35″, and Maunawili measured 2.11″.
Heavy rains created multiple mudslides on Hawaii temporary closing the road that circles it. The same is true on Maui where fallen trees and landslides have closed the famed Road to Hana there.
Infrared satellite imagery shows overcast conditions across the islands. Radar imagery shows widespread rain from Oahu eastward, with lesser shower coverage over Kauai. The heaviest rainfall continues to focus over the windward portions of the islands. The main short term focus continues to revolve around the heavy rain and damaging wind potential today.
According to meteorologists at the National Weather Service in Honolulu on the island of Oahu, the overall forecast appears on track, with deep moisture remaining over the islands in association with the old dissipated front. This in combination with divergence aloft and strong winds aiding orographic lift, will continue to support areas of heavy rain primarily over windward slopes and coasts, along with a slight chance for a rumble or two of thunder.
At elevations greater than 12,000 feet on the Big Island summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, more than a foot of additional snow is expected.
With all of these weather hazards, the National Weather Service has issued numerous warnings including a Winter Storm Warning, High Wind Warning, High Surf Warning, and Gale Warning. Flood Advisories and/or Watches are also up for the entire state.
Due to the hazards, Hawaii Governor Josh Green, MD, had made an Emergency declaration before the storm started. Yesterday, he held a press conference with State Adjutant General Stephen Logan, Department of Transportation Director Ed Sniffen and National Weather Service warning coordination meteorologist John Bravender to discuss the storm and announce closures. Today, public schools state-wide are closed and all state offices were ordered shut. This extends to services too, such as trash removal and waste transfer stations. All University of Hawaii campuses will be closed on Monday due to dangerous weather conditions, particularly high winds impacting the state. The Governor’s Emergency proclamation is in effect through to Wednesday.
“The safety of our residents and visitors is our top priority,” said Governor Green. “We know this storm system could bring conditions that make travel unsafe and threaten property. Please take this time to secure your home, check on loved ones and heed guidance from emergency officials. Hawaiʻi is strongest when we look out for one another — and that starts with being prepared.”
Conditions are expected to begin improving by late this afternoon, with winds easing up some, and rainfall diminishing in coverage and intensity as well. It will remain breezy enough tonight however, that a Wind Advisory may be needed for some of the typically windier areas once the High Wind Warning is cancelled. More typical, but breezy, trade wind weather will follow Tuesday through Friday, with showers favoring windward and mauka areas.
Until then, though, authorities want people to stay put until the storm passes. The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) said, “Do not travel unless you must. Wind and debris hazards are present on the roads, and driving conditions are difficult.”
