The Hawaiian gazette., 1897-03-12
RAINFALL REVIEW
Where the Islands Were
Moist During 1896.
Interesting and Authentic Mem
orandum From the Local
Observer.

JANUARY.-January, with souther-
y and variable winds had less than its
share of rain. the average for all dis
tricts being but 1896 inches. Rain |
storms occurred on Hawaii on the 1st, |
9Th to 10th, 21st, 30th and S1st; on |
Maui, Molokai and Lanai about the 4th, |
10th, Goth and S0th; on Oahu and Kau-
al about the 9Th, 10th or 18th, 2Sd and
S0th.
Maui had fair amount of rain,
Hawaii, a generous supply
average over 10 inches).
FEBRUARY.-In February, prevail
ing trade winds brought to Hawaii.
except the leeward districts of Kau
and Kona, abundant rains. At most
stations on the other islands rainfall
was below the average General aver
age 4S2 inches.
The principal rain storms occurred
in the first half of the month, or just
at its close. In the five days ending
Feb. Sd, the average total rainfall for
all districts was ESQ inches, and again
in the four days ending Feb. II. there
was an average of 2.23 inches, 40 per
cent. of the total rainfall for the
month. During the time that the trade
wind was interrupted, Feb. II to 90
there was almost no rain.
MARCH.-Southerly winds return
ing at the cl1e of the month brought
copious rains at most stations-least
on Kauai, the average rainfall for the
five days ending March 4, being ESQ
inches, nearly 40 per cent of all that
fell in the month. Trade wind again
in the latter part of the month brought
good supply of rain except to leeward
stations. In five days, ending March
%, the average rainfall for all districts
was 1.S7 inches. The average rainfall
for the month was nearly inches.
The central and leeward districts of
Kauai received less than their fair
share.
APRIL-In April the prevalent trade
winds brought comparatively little
rain until the close of the month when
they reached the force almost of a
gale, and brought in three days an
average rainfall in all districts of $50
inches, nearly one-half of all that fell
in April. There were also well mark
ed rain periods about the list, 10th and
21st. Total rainfall (average) SAC
inches. Leeward stations, of course,
received little rain
MAY.-The rains of May, a trade
wind month were mostly concentrated
in its first five days, nearly two inches
out of the total average of 4.40 falling
in that time. In the nine days ending
May 6, the total rainfall (average) was
equal to the entire rainfall of the
month Of May. Additional notable
rain dates were about the 18th, 9th
and Both.
| JUNE.-Rains accompanying trade
wind were frequent at all windward
stations during the first half of June
sd to 17th). Total rainfall 346 inches
Notable rain dates, June Sd, 18th and
21st. Very little rain in last-week OF
month. The only day having an aver
age rain record of less than O.O1 inch
was the oath, the date of the full moon
JULY.-The rains of July centered
about the 9Th and 22d of the month
Nearly 40 per cent. fell in the six days
ending July 8. Total rainfall 81:
inches, low average for July. Lana
which had no rain in June, had fair
amount in July, but droughty condi-
tons prevailed still in Kau, as at lee
ward stations generally.
AUGUST-Trade winds of moderate
force charactized most of the month
of August, and these brought little
rain. There were, however, two
storms which brought up the month:
average except for the islands of Maui
and Kauai. The first of these, accom-
panying strong easterly wind gave
in three days ending August II, total
of 2.27 inches of rain general aver
age); the second, distinctly a cycloniC
disturbance, with some unreasonable
thunder and lightning, gave in the
three last days of the month a total
of PIG inches. Total rainfall of month
(average) $50 inches.
In Kau the spell of drought was
broken by copious rains on the 10th
as well as on the 18th and Both, tht
total amounting to more than II
inches.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES with al
most uninterrupted trade wind proved
the direct month of the year, with al
average of only 292 inches. Forty pei
cent Of this fell in the first four day:
of the month, in continuation of tht
disturbance at the close of August
Rains were scarcity at nearly all sta
tons, except in the districts of Hilo
Kona and upper Puma, Maui and Oahu
particularly suffering.
OCTOBER.-In October again trade
winds prevailed except for a few day.
in the middle of the month, with &
result that rains were moderate in
lamount, and quite deficient in the lee
ward districts ON all islands, Kona
Hawaii, having however a reasonable
share. Kauai was more generously
dealt with than in the previous
months. The rains were pretty evenly
distributed through the month, a1most
wholly wanting on the 14th and 18th
The notable rain dates were about tbs
| 9Th and 22d- Total rainfall average
1852 inches.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES winds anl
a low barometer characterized ths
month Of November, which had aftel
TALL a rainfall Of only 4.36 inches
Forty-four per cent of this fell in this
six days ending Nov. s. There wal
little rain from the 14th to the 24th
mo rain at all being reported for tbs