Drought in Hawaii, December 1 to 31, 1998

The period from 1 to 13 December 1998 was marked by very strong trade winds that brought frequent but short-lived showers to windward sections of the island chain. The showers also arrived within the remnants of old shear lines that were embedded within the trade flow. An abrupt change in the weather pattern occurred on 15 December with the passage of the first cold front of the 1998-99 cool season. This front was the first of three to push across the island chain during the month. The other two passed by on 28 December and 30-31 December. All three fronts brought showers to the islands but did not cause significant rain-related problems.The late start to the 1998-99 cool season rains, combined with the lack of rain caused by the El Nino episode during the first half of 1998, resulted in most locales across the state having below average annual precipitation totals.Below are rainfall statistics for selected locations from around the state. The first column is the rainfall for the month of December. The second has the 30-year average for each location, while the third column is the percent of average rainfall for the month of December. December 98 Avg. %Avg.Oahu Honolulu 1.15 3.8 30 Manoa Arbor. 11.62 14.3 81 Hawaii Kai 1.76 4.1 43 Ahuimanu 7.02 10.9 64 Waianae 0.58 3.3 18 Waialua 4.08 5.0 82Maui Kahului 1.16 3.2 36 Hana 2.05 6.1 34 Kihei 1.82 2.4 76 Lahainaluna 1.57 3.4 46 Wailuku 4.34 4.3 101Island of Hawaii Hilo 9.89 12.0 82 Pahala 0.74 5.4 14 Honaunau (Capt. Cook) 1.27 3.1 41 Kamuela (Upper) 2.91 6.0 49 Kamuela 1.03 7.3 14 Laupahoehoe 9.78 14.8 66Molokai Kaunakakai 1.25 3.0 42