Uploaded December 2021 | Updated September 2026, 11 hours ago
This week, NOAA satellites monitored a large “kona low” storm system that on Saturday began drenching Hawaii with heavy rains, leading to significant flooding and property damage. The system moved directly over the islands on Monday, prompting the state’s governor, David Ige (D), to declare a state of emergency that is set to remain in effect through Friday, Dec. 10.
A kona low, or kona storm, tends to form in the winter months and is a type of seasonal subtropical cyclone. The word “kona” means “leeward” in Hawaiian, which refers to the side of an island that is usually sheltered from prevailing trade winds and associated rainfall. In Hawaii’s case, these usually come from the east-northeastern direction. Instead, a kona low brings cooler, moisture-rich winds to the islands from the south to southwest, which can lead to torrential rainfall and even heavy snow accumulation across the highest volcanic peaks of the Big Island (Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa). In fact, blizzard conditions were reported on these two mountain summits, and a blizzard warning ran through Monday morning.
Learn more:
nesdis.noaa.gov/news/earth-orbit-kona-low-slams-hawaii
Credits:
NOAA
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
CIRA
Additional imagery provided by CIMSS
Music:
“Mist and Haze,” by George King [PRS]; Atmosphere Music Ltd; Universal Production Music
This week, NOAA satellites monitored a large “kona low” storm system that on Saturday began drenching Hawaii with heavy rains, leading to significant flooding and property damage. The system moved directly over the islands on Monday, prompting the state’s governor, David Ige (D), to declare a state of emergency that is set to remain in effect through Friday, Dec. 10.
A kona low, or kona storm, tends to form in the winter months and is a type of seasonal subtropical cyclone. The word “kona” means “leeward” in Hawaiian, which refers to the side of an island that is usually sheltered from prevailing trade winds and associated rainfall. In Hawaii’s case, these usually come from the east-northeastern direction. Instead, a kona low brings cooler, moisture-rich winds to the islands from the south to southwest, which can lead to torrential rainfall and even heavy snow accumulation across the highest volcanic peaks of the Big Island (Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa). In fact, blizzard conditions were reported on these two mountain summits, and a blizzard warning ran through Monday morning.
Learn more:
nesdis.noaa.gov/news/earth-orbit-kona-low-slams-hawaii
Credits:
NOAA
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
CIRA
Additional imagery provided by CIMSS
Music:
“Mist and Haze,” by George King [PRS]; Atmosphere Music Ltd; Universal Production Music
