Strong Wind — Leeward Haleakala, Hawaii

2019-02-10 · Leeward Haleakala, Hawaii

Event narrative

A tree was downed on Kula Highway by the Kula post office in Upcountry Maui.

Wider weather episode

A powerful storm low moved to a position just north and northeast of Hawaii and wreaked havoc on the islands. The system brought fierce winds to most areas, with lower level winds exceeding 50-knot gusts on Kauai at Port Allen and Barking Sands; and enhanced surf, especially along north- and west-facing shores. Surf heights in some locales reached above 50 feet for north-facing shores, and above 30 feet for west-facing shores. And the very strong winds at the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa on the Big Island, and the summit of Haleakala on Maui, produced blizzard-type conditions for a time as the feature affected the region. No significant injuries were reported. The costs of damages, public and private, were not available.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 799784. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.