Climates of Hawai‘i

 Only state surrounded by ocean  Only state within tropics  Both contribute to its climate  50% above 2000 ft  10% above 7000 ft Climates of Hawai‘i

2 Native Hawaiian Seasons  Kau - Summer  May thru Oct  Tradewinds prevalent  Cloudy Windward areas

 Ho‘oilo - Winter  Nov thru April  Winds light and variable  Leeward areas cloudier 2 Native Hawaiian Seasons

Hawaiian Climates  Kona  Ko‘olau  Puna  Moa‘e

Elevation Changes

Natural Communities  ELEVATION  Temperature  Rainfall (Moisture)  Soil type  Air temperature drops  ~ 5.5° C/km rise in elevation  ~ 3° F/1,000 ft

7 climatic regions of Hawai‘i 1. Windward Lowlands < 2000 ft, North to NE sides –Trade wind –Moderately rainy –Partly cloudy to cloudy –Nearly uniform temperatures

7 climatic regions of Hawai‘i 2. Leeward Lowlands (not Kona coast) -Higher daytime temps -Lower nighttime temps -Mostly dry with occasional light showers

7 climatic regions of Hawai‘i 3. Interior Lowlands - O‘ahu & Maui - Occasional intense local afternoon showers

7 climatic regions of Hawai‘i 4. Kona Coast -Summer rains -Winter dry -Warmer than windward -Drier than windward

7 climatic regions of Hawai‘i 5. Windward mountain slopes - Lots of rain - Lots of clouds -In winter & summer - High humidity

7 climatic regions of Hawai‘i 6. Leeward mountain slopes - Rains more than lowlands but less than windward - Greater temperature fluctuations

7 climatic regions of Hawai‘i 7. High Mountains > 2000 ft or 3000 ft on Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, & Haleakal > 2000 ft or 3000 ft on Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, & Haleakal ā - Rain decreases rapidly with elevation - Near summit rain is scant with clear skies - Low humidity, low temperatures

Lee wave clouds at sunset. Lenticular, or lee wave, clouds form downwind of an obstacle in the path of a strong air current. Since air cools as it rises and warms as it falls, it is at the peak of a standing wave where moisture condenses and clouds form.

Towering cumulus clouds (cumulus congestus). These very large and vertically developed cumulus clouds resembles the head of a cauliflower and are known as a cumulus congestus or towering cumulus. Rain showers may result from this type of cloud, which often develop into a cumulonimbus, or thunderstorm cloud.

Moonbow Tornado In ‘Ewa Clouds