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Climates of Hawai‘i. 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. 2 Native Hawaiian Seasons. Kau - Summer May thru Oct Tradewinds prevalent Cloudy Windward areas.
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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
2 Native Hawaiian Seasons • Kau - Summer • May thru Oct • Tradewinds prevalent • Cloudy Windward areas
2 Native Hawaiian Seasons • Ho‘oilo - Winter • Nov thru April • Winds light and variable • Leeward areas cloudier
Hawaiian Climates • Kona • Ko‘olau • Puna • Moa‘e
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 • 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, & Haleakalā - 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.
Clouds Moonbow Tornado In ‘Ewa