MEDIA RELEASE
Outlook heading into wet season (October through April)
* La Nina would be primary influence, though weaker than in 2010-2011
* Drier than normal through October, becoming wetter than normal from January through April/May.
* Drought recovery more likely on Kauai and Oahu
* Some drought recovery on Big Island and Maui County but full recovery elusive due to intensity and longevity of existing drought conditions
Overall results
* Wet in the west, dry in the east
* Most areas of Kauai had near to above normal rainfall
* Oahu mainly had near to below normal rainfall
* Most areas of Maui County and the Big Island had below normal rainfall
* Drought eliminated on Kauai and Oahu
* Slight improvement in some leeward areas of Maui County and the Big Island but already intensifying again
Wet season statistics
* Ranked 18th out of last 30 years (1 = wettest, 30 = driest)
Kauai
* Most sites greater than 100 percent of normal rainfall
* Lihue Airport: 30.05 inches, 5th wettest Oct – Apr in last 30 years
Oahu
* Most windward sites in 70 to 100 percent of normal range o Most leeward sites in 30 to 60 percent of normal range
* Honolulu Airport: 9.67 inches, ranked 18th
Maui County
* Most sites in 20 to 50 percent of normal range
* Ulupalakua Ranch: 6.64 inches, ranked 30th. Driest Oct. – April since 1972-1973
* Molokai Airport: 6.90 inches, ranked 29th
Big Island
* Windward: most sites in 80 to 110 percent of normal range o Leeward: most sites less than 50 percent of normal
* Hilo Airport: 79.65 inches, ranked 14th
Dry season (May through September) outlook
* Expecting persistence and possible worsening of drought in leeward Maui County and the Big Island
* Seasonal leeward dryness on Kauai and Oahu
— Find out more:
April Precipitation Summary and Wet Season Maps: http://www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl/hydro/pages/apr12sum.php
NOAA National Weather Service Honolulu: http://www.weather.gov/hawaii/
NOAA Climate Prediction Center: http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/
U.S. Drought Monitor: http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/
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