Hawaii has a wet winter, but drought conditions remain in areas

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hawaii will have above average wet season rainfall, National Weather Service officials said.

The NWS released its outlook for the 2022 to 2023 wet season on Tuesday, saying models show above-average rainfall, particularly from December 2022 to April 2023.

The weather phenomenon, known as La Nina, lasted until 2022 and is expected to continue until 2023.

“If this sounds familiar, it’s very similar to last year,” said Weather Service Senior Hydrologist Kevin Kodama. “We are probably entering the third year in a row of La Nina conditions. This has only happened twice since 1950, so it is a very unusual occurrence. “

Kodama said that because of the terrain, the distribution of rainfall depends on how strong La Niña develops.

“If you have a stronger La Nina event where you have sustained trade wind conditions, you’re going to have wet conditions on the windward slopes,” Kodama said. “The thin areas remain dry.”

Meanwhile, if you have a weaker La Nina, there is a greater chance of more widespread rainfall.

During the summer, parts of Hawaii experienced severe drought – especially in Maui County and Hawaii Island, where large brush fires were seen.

Depending on the strength of La Nina, drought is likely to remain in these areas, officials said.

This story will be updated.

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