The Clouds and Hydrology of Hawaii

Hydrology is the study of the movement, distribution, and quality of water and Hawaii has many unique examples of this throughout its islands. Recently in the Hawaiian Islands rainfall has been average to below average than previous year totals. This is a cause for concern since Hawaii relies on the porosity of its ground to water plants and even for drinking water.





This image shows Hawaii's annual precipitaion. All these numbers are where Hawaii should be on its yearly rainfall. Unfortunatley this year it hasnt been the case and some Hawaii's islands like Maui and Kauai have been below their previous year averages.
http://www.hawaii-guide.com/images/large_downloadables/hawaiian_precipitation_map.jpg 




This rainfall also comes down mostly on top of Hawaii's many volcanoes which could be classified as a radial slope in which the water will run down each of its sides into the area around the volcano or slope. One reason geologists study groundwater is to learn how it moves beneath the Earth's surface. The area in which the water accumulates is known as the saturated zone, and the layer above it, the unsaturated zone. When a well is dug in the saturated zone water will fill to the top of the said zone. This is why rain water is a key component to Hawaii's daily life and without it could affect
thousands if they don't receive the average amount.

Volcanoes like this one on the Island of Hawaii serve as a radial slope when rain storm hits.
http://hawaiitribune-herald.com/sites/files/article/210249_web_19830906JDG2879_copy.jpg 

Hawaii has been known as one of the most beautiful places and is a popular destination for vacations and get-aways. Clouds definitely help add to this level of beauty.Clouds are, “A visible mass of condensed water vapor floating in the atmosphere, typically high above the ground.” Also, the reason clouds are formed is because water evaporation and the mixing of warm and cold air. In Hawaii, you will find every type of cloud there is. To start off, there are several basic cloud types: Cumulus, Cumulus, Cirrus, and Nimbus. All of these clouds have different qualities, which include different altitudes and amounts of precipitation.

In the background of the photo above, you can see some Cumulus clouds. These clouds are Cumulus because they are mid level clouds (which could be considered altocumulus clouds) and are “fluffier”.







http://www.artistrising.com/products/181611/waikiki-surfboards-honolulu-oahu-hawaii.htm

 

 

In this photo of Oahu, Hawaii, these type of clouds are called stratus because they are dark, lower level clouds.

http://www.photolib.noaa.gov/bigs/wea02049.jpg

 

These clouds were photographed at Kahului, Maui are known as Cirrus clouds. Cirrus clouds are known for being very wispy white clouds and being high altitude clouds.

http://www.hawaiiweathertoday.com/2010/12/hawaiian-islands-weather-details-aloha-paragraphs-december-17-18-2010/

 

In this photo token off the coast off the big island of Hawaii, you can see that these clouds are dark and look like storm clouds. These clouds are known as Nimbus clouds that bear rain and are low-level clouds.

http://pvs.kcc.hawaii.edu/ike/hookele/weather_forecasting.html

 

 

Clouds can also be mixtures of different types of clouds. For example: there are Nimbostratus clouds, which are dark, low rain clouds that stretch acrossed the sky.

http://classblogmeister.com/blog.php?blogger_id=330282

 

Works Cited: 

 Allen, Casey. Notes. 23 Mar. 2013
http://hi.water.usgs.gov/recent/hawaii/
http://www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl/pages/hydrology.php
http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/narratives/HAWAII.htm
http://blog.hawaiigaga.com/index.php/general/cloudy-day-in-hawaii/