State of Hawaii
Seasonal Precipitation Summary

Throughout the summer and into the fall, Hawaii for the most part has experienced typical summertime trade winds. Although, there were a few days in October where the trade winds dropped off which led to more humid and voggy conditions but these have been short-lived. Below-normal rainfall was also typical on the islands of Kauai, Oahu and Maui in July and August. A near-normal amount of rainfall was experienced on the Big Island of Hawaii in these same months. In September, below-normal rainfall continued on Kauai and was present on Hawaii. Maui received above-normal rainfall in September with only 0.37 inches (195%) while Oahu rainfall was close to normal.

As for other weather related events: There were a few upper level disturbances in July which led to some days with increased high clouds. In October, there were thunderstorms offshore to the north of Kauai, but no significant rainfall impacted the islands.

The strong start to the dry season in August led to the redevelopment of drought conditions in many areas on Kauai, Oahu and Lanai. Although the 2012 Hawaiian Islands dry season has concluded, large areas of the state, especially in the leeward areas of Maui County and the Big Island, head into the new wet season under significant drought.

Additional individual rainfall station information and specific island information for Hawaii can be found in the Monthly Precipitation Summaries.

Hawaii Rainfall Summary for Select Stations, 3rd Quarter 2012

Climate Outlook: The Monthly Forecast Discussion issued on October 18 by the NOAA Climate Prediction Center indicated below normal temperatures are favored for Hawaii from November-December-January 2012-2013. Below median precipitation is also favored through December-January-February 2012-2013. The next forecast will be issued by the Climate Prediction November 15, 2012.