Posted on: Saturday, December 15, 2001

Islands' winter storm runs out of steam

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

The second major weather system this winter season that brought strong winds and heavy rains has left the state, and forecasters said normal trade-wind weather should be returning today.

The National Weather Service yesterday cancelled the high wind advisory that was in effect for the entire state. A winter storm warning for the summits of Haleakala on Maui, and Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa on the Big Island also was cancelled.

A high surf warning for all east shores was expected to be downgraded to an advisory today. Surf was expected to be in the eight to 15-foot range today, said meteorologist Brad Fujii.

Fujii said the rough weather was normal for this time of year.

"This is the season when we get these jet streams that dip southward towards the state and these kona lows form," he said. "If they get too near the Islands, they just destabilize the airmast and produce all those clouds and showers."

Earlier this week, winds gusting up to 90 mph were reported at the summit of Mauna Kea. Add to that the snow, sleet and hail, and driving to the summit was impossible.

The strong winds also knocked out electricity to parts of all islands.