WHITELIGHTNING//AI.RESEARCH//IMMEDREL//12/22/24/0730PST
The following information is from the Artificial Intelligence (AI) site Perplexity, with regard to tropical cyclone formation in and around the Hawaiian Islands, known as the Kona Low, that may have a direct effect on West Coast weather patterns, in conjunction with the unpredictable anomalies created by climate change and global warming.
the kona stream weather phenomena
The Kona Low, also known as a Kona storm, is a unique weather phenomenon that affects Hawaii and the surrounding Pacific region during the cooler months, typically from October to April12. This subtropical cyclone is characterized by its distinct formation process and the significant weather impacts it brings to the Hawaiian Islands.
Formation and Characteristics
Kona Lows develop when:
A deep kink forms in the jet stream
This kink sinks southward and pinches off
A low-pressure circulation is left behind, cut off from the main jet stream1
These storms originate northwest of Hawaii, outside the warm tropical waters that fuel tropical cyclones1. Unlike hurricanes, Kona Lows circle a cold center rather than a warm one1.
Weather Impacts
Kona Lows can bring extreme weather conditions to Hawaii, including:
Heavy rainfall, with some areas receiving up to 280 mm (11 inches) of rain1
High winds, with gusts reaching up to 110 km/h (70 mph)1
Blizzard conditions on the summits of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea1
Powerful waves and severe thunderstorms2
Wind Direction Change
The term "Kona" in Kona Low refers to the change in wind direction that occurs during these events:
Normally, Hawaii experiences trade winds from the northeast
During a Kona Low, the counterclockwise flow around the low-pressure system west of Hawaii results in southwesterly winds1
This shift brings winds from the leeward or "kona" side of the islands1
Duration and Frequency
Kona Lows can persist for several days due to their cut-off nature from the main steering currents12. On average, about a dozen Kona storms occur per winter, with 2-3 directly impacting the Hawaiian Islands3.
Rainfall Contribution
Kona Lows can significantly contribute to Hawaii's rainfall totals:
On average, they account for 11% of seasonal rainfall across the state
In some locations, they can contribute up to 37% of the seasonal rainfall total
Leeward areas of the islands tend to receive a greater proportion of their total rainfall from Kona Lows compared to windward areas5
The Kona Low is a complex weather system that plays a crucial role in Hawaii's climate, bringing both beneficial rainfall and potentially hazardous conditions to the islands during the cooler months.
the kona stream weather phenomena
do kona lows ever reach the us mainland
Kona lows, also known as Kona storms, are a type of weather phenomenon that primarily affects the Hawaiian Islands. They typically form during the winter months and are characterized by a shift in wind patterns that brings moist air from the south or southwest, contrasting with the usual northeast trade winds. These systems can lead to heavy rainfall, high winds, and even blizzard conditions at higher elevations in Hawaii123.
Do Kona Lows Reach the U.S. Mainland?
Kona lows are generally localized weather systems that originate in the central Pacific Ocean and predominantly impact Hawaii. While they can occasionally influence weather patterns further afield, such as in the eastern Pacific or even the U.S. West Coast, it is rare for them to directly reach the U.S. mainland. The primary reason for this is their formation process, which involves a dip in the jet stream that typically keeps these systems confined to the Hawaiian region24.
However, there are instances where remnants of a Kona low can interact with other weather systems and affect mainland weather, but this is not common. The cold core nature of these systems means they do not have the same warm water dynamics that tropical storms or hurricanes rely on for strength and longevity34. Thus, while they may influence broader weather patterns temporarily, significant impacts on the U.S. mainland from Kona lows are quite unusual.
have there been any significant Kona lows that reached the US mainland
While Kona lows primarily affect Hawaii, there is evidence that they can indirectly influence weather patterns on the U.S. mainland, though significant direct impacts are rare.
February 2023
A Kona low contributed to a weather event that reached the U.S. West Coast. Satellite imagery showed an elongated region of cold cloud tops extending from southwest of Hawaii to the U.S. West Coast, with a narrow band of very cold cloud top temperatures (<-60°C) stretching from Southern California to Colorado5. This suggests that the Kona low's moisture and energy interacted with other atmospheric systems, affecting weather patterns far from its origin.
However, it's important to note that this influence is typically indirect. Kona lows are subtropical cyclones that form northwest of Hawaii, outside the band of warm tropical waters that fuel tropical cyclones1. Their cold-core nature and formation process generally limit their ability to maintain strength over long distances.
While Kona lows can cause severe weather in Hawaii, including heavy rainfall, high winds, and even blizzard conditions at higher elevations12, there are no reported instances of a Kona low directly reaching the U.S. mainland with the same intensity it had near Hawaii. The effects on the mainland are usually the result of the Kona low's remnants interacting with other weather systems rather than the Kona low itself making landfall.
Can Kona lows influence weather patterns in California
Yes, Kona lows can influence weather patterns in California, although their effects are typically indirect and part of larger weather systems.
Indirect Influence on California Weather
Kona lows, which are subtropical cyclones that form northwest of Hawaii, can contribute to atmospheric river (AR) events that reach the U.S. West Coast, including California1. These systems can interact with other weather patterns to create significant precipitation events:
In February 2019, a Kona low contributed to a high-impact atmospheric river event that caused widespread flooding in California1.
Satellite imagery showed an elongated region of cold cloud tops extending from southwest of Hawaii to the U.S. West Coast, indicating the Kona low's influence on broader weather patterns1.
Mechanism of Influence
The influence of Kona lows on California weather occurs through several mechanisms:
Moisture Transport: Kona lows can help transport moisture across the Pacific, contributing to the formation and intensification of atmospheric rivers1.
Interaction with Other Systems: As Kona lows move northeastward, they can merge with other weather systems, enhancing the overall moisture content and energy of storms approaching the West Coast1.
Modulation of Jet Stream: The presence of a Kona low can affect the position and strength of the jet stream, which in turn influences storm tracks and precipitation patterns over California1.
While Kona lows do not typically make direct landfall on the U.S. mainland with their original intensity, their remnants and the weather systems they influence can significantly impact California's weather, particularly during the winter months when these systems are more common4.
do kona lows ever reach the us mainlandWHITELIGHTNING//AI.RESEARCH//IMMEDREL//12/22/24/0730PST
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