Summer Weather on Haleakala, Maui

摘要

Meteorological observations from the summit of Haleakala, Maui, high-resolution satellite imagery, and rainfall climatology are examined to determine diurnal and day-to-day variations in weather both at the summit and along the slopes. Results show largest weather variations occur in response to the diurnal mountain heating cycle, while day-to-day weather changes result from continuous and systematic interaction between the local diurnal cycle and synoptic weather patterns. The diurnal cycle produces afternoon maxima and early morning minima in summit temperature, humidity, cloudiness, and rainfall. Summit maximum temperature and cloud amount depend directly on synoptic wind profiles and hydrostatic stability, while minimum temperature is positively correlated (R = .78) with the antecedent maximum temperature. Multiple regression equations are derived for summit humidity, cloud amount, maximum and minimum air temperatures, and wake cloud plume development. (ERA citation 04:049602)