El Niño in the Hawaiian Islands
Winter is the rainy season in Hawaii (Photo taken during winter 2008-2009).
Although most people probably think that Hawaii is immune from the effects of droughts, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Scientists say that weather patterns in the Pacific are being affected this year by “El Niño,” the warming of the tropical areas of the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Unlike the increased rainfall and rise in the risk of flooding experienced along the West Coast of the United States, El Niño years often bring drought conditions to the Hawaiian Islands.
According to a statement issued by the National Weather Service in Honolulu this week, throughout January, “Most of the rain gages across the State of Hawaii reported less than 50 percent of the normal rainfall and worsened or spread drought conditions in several areas.” These conditions have created “Extreme Drought Conditions” for most of the Kohala District of northwestern Hawaii Island, as well as parts of Maui, Molokai and the southern portion of Hawaii Island.
Because of the effects of El Niño, the winter of 2009-2010 has yet to bring the usual rains to most parts of Hawaii.
These conditions have led to an extreme risk of fires, prompting the National Park Service to bring in a team of firefighters from Whiskeytown National Recreation Area in California to Hawaii Island. As well, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has put into place more stringent regulations concerning campfires and barbecuing. For more information on El Niño and its effects, visit NOAA’s El Niño website: http://www.elnino.noaa.gov/.
