Rain relieves drought conditions across Hawaii
Intense bouts of rain in recent weeks have washed away drought conditions across the state that contributed to water shortages, major wildfires on Maui and Hawaii island, and tough times for some farmers and ranchers.
Drenchings in late January and February made good on the National Weather Service’s forecast in October of a wetter-than-average rainy season, although things got off to a late start with a surprising dry spell from mid-December through most of January, according to senior service hydrologist Kevin Kodama at the service’s Honolulu Weather Forecast Office.
“In February it was pretty darn wet, especially on the Big Island,” Kodama said, adding that Maui County was “pummeled” by rain in late January. Although Oahu for the large part escaped the downpours that caused major flooding elsewhere, most of the island still saw above-average rainfall through the first two months of the year.
