Glenn James
Hawaii Weather Today
Creator, Author, and Administrator for 30 years

 

The latest update to this website was at 6pm Thursday evening HST


Here are the latest 24-hour precipitation totals (inches) for each of the island Thursday evening: 

0.36  Kilohana Kauai
0.63  Tunnel RG, Oahu
0.26  Puu Alii, Molokai
0.00  Lanai
1.94  West Wailuaiki, Maui
3.67  Spencer, Big Island


The following numbers represent the strongest wind gusts (mph) Thursday evening:

29  Port Allen, Kauai – NE
45  Oahu Forest NWR, Oahu – ENE
35  Molokai AP, Molokai – NE
45  Kealaloloa Rg, Maui – NNE 
50  Puuloa, Big Island – NW


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


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Big Blue…click twice for largest version

 

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Tropical systems remain active in the eastern and central Pacific…including Hurricane Odalys and Category 4 Major Hurricane Polo…along with Category 1 Hurricane Nolo nearing Hawaii


GeoColor - True Color daytime, multispectral IR at night

Variable low clouds and high clouds are present over the island chain…Hurricane Noro south 

 

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Localized Showers…some heavy 

 

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




~~~ Hawaii Weather Narrative ~~~

 

Glenn’s Thursday comments:  I’m at home here in upper Kula, Maui, Hawaii

453am, it’s mostly clear with some streaks of cirrus here at my place, with the low temperature 59 degrees, relative humidity is 83%…with calm winds

 

>>> Tropical Storm Noro is currently a hair’s breadth from being a Category 1 hurricane…and as of the latest advisory is now a Hurricane. Speaking of Categories, the latest NWS information strongly suggests that Noro could attain a Major Category 3 status, which equates to 111-129 mph winds! This could occur at the closest approach to the Big Island of Hawaii on Saturday.

It is not good news that a Rapid Intensification is expected during the next day or so, now that the inner core of the storm has formed. This combined with warm sea surface temperatures, low wind shear, and copious moisture, is what will prompt Noro from a storm to a full-blown hurricane.
The storm has been moving erratically during the day, although appears to finally be moving slowly northward towards the Big Island. A little bit of better news is that the latest model runs have been showing the storm moving by slightly further to the south, than that of the last few days, although truthfully, not quite enough further south to make much of a difference.
In sum: Hurricane Noro will intensify as it drifts northward toward the Big Island through Friday night. Deepening moisture along the northern edge of the system will gradually increase rainfall across the Big Island and Maui, leading to the potential for significant flash flooding on windward and southeast Big Island. The Big Island remains under a hurricane watch with the potential for damaging winds tomorrow and Saturday, with locally windy trade winds developing across the rest of the state Friday.

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Hawaii’s Weather Highlights…as of Thursday evening: Hurricane Nolo will drift northward toward Big Island through Friday night. Deepening moisture along the northern edge of the system will gradually increase rainfall across the Big Island and Maui, leading to the potential for significant flash flooding on windward and southeast Big Island.

Weather Narrative…as of Thursday evening: Satellite imagery shows a typical trade wind pattern over the western half of the state with somewhat limited showers focused windward and mauka. High clouds venting off of Hurricane Nolo have spread across the skies of Maui County and the Big Island. A weakly convergent west-east oriented band of showers extends from the Big Island and points well to the east. Convergence within this band is modeled to weaken with time, and radar imagery certainly supports that idea, with very lackluster presentation on the South Point radar.

Over windward Big Island, showers are seen filling in from the NE on prevailing low-level trades. 12 hour rainfall totals generally about 1.5o” or less over windward portions of the Big Island, with slightly lesser amounts for windward Maui. Trades are currently gusting to around 15-25 mph in most locations with localized gusts approaching 40 mph in the typical windy waters of Maui County and the Big Island.

Deeper moisture is modeled to push onshore over the Big Island as the night progresses. It should be a fairly straight forward forecast, with strengthening northeasterly trade winds driving moderate to heavy showers over windward portions of the Big Island and Maui, as moisture deepens and spreads northward.

The primary decision point in the forecast going forward is handling of wind numbers for those islands outside the existing tropical cyclone watches and warnings. A High Wind Watch for very strong trades may be warranted for Oahu Saturday and Saturday night, if the forecast track holds. A Wind Advisory is more likely for Kauai during this same time. With plenty of lead time yet to work with, the NWS is holding off on issuing any wind headlines at this time. The Hurricane Watch and Tropical Storm Warning remain in effect for the Big Island and the Tropical Storm Watch continues for Maui County.

By the middle of next week, troughing will draw Nolo sharply north or northeastward west of Kauai. The end of next week will then feature light south to southeast wind flow, as Nolo lifts north of the area and gradient over the state weakens substantially.

Fire Weather:  Winds will steadily strengthen as intensifying Nolo moves closer. By Friday, very strong winds are possible on Big Island, which remains under a Hurricane Watch, though heavy rainfall will likely mitigate fire danger over most areas. From Kauai to Maui County, rainfall over the last month has led to some improvement in fuels, but the gusty trade winds will produce moderate fire weather conditions over drier leeward areas through the weekend.

 

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Here’s a near real-time Wind Profile of the Pacific Ocean – along with a Closer View of the islands / Here’s the latest Weather Map / Looping Surface Precipitation…through the next 8-days / Vog Map

 

Marine Conditions…as of Thursday evening: Hurricane Nolo is located about 270 miles south of the Big Island this afternoon. It is expected to continue strengthening over the next few days as it tracks slowly northward through Friday, then turns west passing south of the Hawaiian Islands this weekend. Marine impacts will include increasing winds, waves, and rainfall chances across the coastal waters through the weekend. As of this afternoon, a Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch continues for waters surrounding the Big Island, including the Alenuihaha Channel, a Tropical Storm Watch remains in effect for the waters of Maui County, and a Small Craft Advisory remains in effect for the rest of the coastal waters and channels near Kauai and Oahu.

For the western islands, the current small south swell will continue to fade as another small overlapping southwest swell builds in from Friday into the weekend. Meanwhile, Hurricane Nolo will likely produce a southerly swell reaching advisory thresholds for exposed south facing shorelines, initially for the Big Island, then potentially expanding westward across the state later this weekend. Additionally, strong trades will likely result in advisory level surf for east-facing shores for the eastern islands tonight into Friday, potentially expanding to remaining islands later Friday into the weekend as winds continue to expand westward. Based on buoy and surf observations this afternoon, a High Surf Advisory has been issued for east facing shores of Molokai and Maui and for east and southeast shores of the Big Island.

A new small, long period, northwest swell will fill in this weekend keeping surf slightly elevated along north and west facing shores into early next week. Finally, dangerously large wind waves will produce a rough and choppy sea state for much of the area over the next few days, with the largest waves (which could exceed 20 feet in some locations) expected around Maui County and the Big Island.

 

>>> Highest Temperature Thursday, September 24, 2026 – 110 degrees near Tecopa, CA


>>> Lowest Temperature Thursday, September 24, 2026 – 24 degrees at Peter Sinks, UT

 

Hawaii is often called the "Rainbow State," and for good reason. The islands' unique weather patterns and topography create frequent rain showers; rainbows often appear when the sun breaks through. Due to


World-wide Tropical Cyclone Activity

 



>>> Here’s a link to the latest Pacific Disaster Center’s Weather Wall




Atlantic Ocean: 

Tropical cyclone (Fay) is located about 1020 miles west-southwest of the Azores

 

FAY CONTINUES MOVING WESTWARD OVER THE CENTRAL ATLANTIC

According to the NHC advisory number 19

Fay is moving toward the west near 6 mph. A generally westward motion with some decrease in forward speed is expected over the next few days. Maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph with higher gusts. Some strengthening is possible overnight before weakening likely commences by Friday afternoon. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 80 miles from the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1005 mb (29.68 inches).

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>>> Far Eastern Tropical Atlantic:

Invest 90L

An elongated area of low pressure located a few hundred miles south-southeast of the Cabo Verde Islands is producing a large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms. This system could become a short-lived tropical depression or tropical storm later today or on Friday while it moves northwestward to northward. Increasing upper-level winds, however, should prevent further development over the weekend. Interests in the Cabo Verde Islands should monitor the progress of this system as gusty winds, areas of heavy rain, and flash flooding are possible over the islands by Friday. Heavy rain and flash flooding could also occur well to the east along the coast of western Africa, particularly in western portions of Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, and southwest portions of Mauritania.

* Formation chance through 48 hours…high…70 percent
* Formation chance through 7 days…high…70 percent

 

Caribbean Sea: There are no active tropical cyclones


Gulf of America: There are no active tropical cyclones

 

Northeast Pacific:

Tropical cyclone 16E (Odalys) is located about 1060 miles west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California

 

ODALYS HOLDS STEADY WHILE MOVING EAST-NORTHEASTWARD

According to the NHC advisory number 19

Odalys is moving toward the east-northeast near 8 mph, and this general motion should continue through tonight. A gradual turn toward the northeast and north is expected on Friday and Saturday. Maximum sustained winds are near 90 mph with higher gusts. Some intensity fluctuations are possible during the next day or so, followed by weakening through the weekend. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles. The estimated minimum central pressure is 976 mb (28.82 inches).

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Tropical cyclone 17E (Polo) is located about 155 miles south-southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico

NOAA HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT REPORTS THAT POLO’S WINDS ARE NEAR 150 MPH

According to the NHC advisory number 17

Polo is moving toward the west-northwest near 10 mph. A turn toward the west is expected later today and Friday, followed by a west- northwestward motion on Saturday. On the forecast track, the core of Polo is expected to move away from the coast of southwestern Mexico this afternoon and evening. Maximum sustained winds are near 150 mph with higher gusts. Polo is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some strengthening is expected tonight. Gradual weakening is forecast to occur starting Friday night and Saturday. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 40 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 125 miles. The minimum central pressure estimated from NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft data is 935 mb (27.61 inches).

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>>> South of the Gulf of Tehuantepec:

An area of low pressure is expected to form in a couple of days to the south of the Gulf of Tehuantepec. Afterwards, environmental conditions should be favorable for gradual development, and a tropical depression is likely to form early next week as the system moves slowly west-northwestward to northwestward, parallel to the coast of southern and southwestern Mexico.

* Formation chance through 48 hours…low…near 0 percent
* Formation chance through 7 days…high…80 percent

 

Central North Pacific:

Tropical Cyclone 15E (Nolo) is located about 295 south of South Point, Hawaii

TROPICAL STORM NOLO HOLDING STEADY AND IS EXPECTED TO TURN NORTHWARD TONIGHT…HURRICANE WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR HAWAII COUNTY

According to the NHC advisory number 14

Nolo is moving toward the west-northwest near 6 mph. A sharp turn to the north and north-northeast is expected late tonight, with this motion continuing through the end of the week. On the forecast track, the system is expected to approach the Big Island of Hawaii on Friday and Saturday. Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph with higher gusts. Nolo is forecast to become a hurricane by Thursday night and could become a major hurricane by the weekend. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 80 miles from the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1002 mb (29.59 inches).

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND WIND:

WIND: Hurricane conditions are possible in the watch area starting as early as Friday night.

RAINFALL: Tropical Storm Nolo will produce rainfall totals of 15 to 20 inches across the Big Island with maximum amounts of 35 inches. This rainfall may produce catastrophic life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain. Rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches with maximum amounts of 20 inches expected across Maui. Life-threatening flooding and mudslides possible across Maui, especially in areas of high terrain. Across the remainder of the Hawaiian Islands, rainfall totals of 1 to 3 inches with maximum amounts of 6 inches are expected with isolated flooding possible.

STORM SURGE: The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide…

Hawaii County…1 to 3 ft

The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast near and to the right of the landfall location, where the surge will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves. Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over short distances.

SURF: Swells generated by Nolo are expected to reach exposed east and south-facing shores of the Big Island by Friday, spreading westward and building through the weekend. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

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>>> Well East-Southeast of the Hawaiian Islands:

An area of low pressure could form about 1000 miles east-southeast of the Hawaiian Islands over the weekend. Environmental conditions could support some gradual development of this system, and a tropical depression could form during the early middle portion of next week. The system is forecast to move generally northeastward, remaining well east-southeast of the Hawaiian Islands.

* Formation chance through 48 hours…low…near 0 percent
* Formation chance through 7 days…medium…40 percent

 

Northwest Pacific Ocean:

Tropical Cyclone 25W (Surigae)…is located approximately 483 NM south-southeast of Kadena AB

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Southwest Pacific Ocean: There are no active tropical cyclones

 

North and South Indian Oceans / Arabian Sea:

Tropical Cyclone 01B…is located approximately 378 NM southwest of Kolkata, India – Final Warning

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



Interesting:  Lake Powell Drops to Record-Low Levels

The effects of a meager mountain snowpack across the Upper Colorado Basin in winter 2025-2026 had made their way downstream to Lake Powell by summer. After seasonal snowmelt declined to a relative trickle, the second-largest reservoir in the U.S. sat at record-low levels in late August and early September.

These images show a portion of Lake Powell just above Glen Canyon Dam as observed by the OLI (Operational Land Imager) on the NASA-USGS Landsat 8 satellite on September 1, 2017 (left), and September 10, 2026 (right). In the 2026 image, the water level stood at 3,517.24 feet. About a month prior, it had dipped below the previous record-low level of 3,519.92 feet, set on April 13, 2023, and continued to tick downward in early September. The 2017 image represents one of the highest water levels of the past decade.

The Colorado River feeds Lake Powell and then Lake Mead farther downstream, which also hit record-low levels in August 2026. Managed by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) and other agencies, the river provides water and electric power to more than 40 million people—including in Las Vegas, Phoenix, Los Angeles, and San Diego—and water to some 5 million acres of farmland in the Southwest.

Read More: NASA Earth Observatory

Image: Lake Powell at a record low on September 10, 2026.