Kona storm

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Kona storms are a type of seasonal, subtropical cyclone in the Hawaiian Islands, usually formed in the winter from winds coming from the "kona" or leeward direction.[1] Otkin and Martin identified three types of kona storms: cold-frontal cyclogenesis cyclones, trade wind easterlies, and cold-frontal cyclogenesis/trade wind easterlies cyclones. Of the three, CFC cyclones are the most common.[2]

Rainfall in a Kona storm is more pronounced than a cold front storm, and most intense from south to east of the storm and in front of the storm's center. Steady rains may last from several hours to days, with longer lasting storms typically interrupted by intervals of lighter rain and partial clearing. Intense showers may appear on more moderate but steady rain. Some winters occur without a single Kona storm, but more frequently, there are usually one or two Kona storms a year, with a high of four or five.[1]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b National Climatic Data Center. Climate of Hawaii.
  2. ^ Otkin, J. A., and J. E. Martin. (2004). A synoptic-climatology of the subtropical Kona storm. Mon. Wea. Rev., 132, 1502-1517. Download PDF
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