Vog Casts Veil Over Haleakala

The voggy conditions on Tuesday morning blocked Haleakala from view from the vantage point of Wailuku. Photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

Widespread haze is in the forecast for yet another day as voggy conditions prevail across much of Maui.

Forecasters from the National Weather Service say the conditions will start changing on Wednesday as more typical trade wind weather begins to return.

The forecast for Kahului today called for isolated showers before noon, highs near 86 degrees, and south winds blowing at around 6 mph.

Widespread haze is in the forecast through Wednesday. This photo taken on Tuesday morning from Wailuku shows a nearly invisible Haleakala. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Even with the return of trade wind weather tomorrow, the forecasters with the National Weather Service say the smaller islands could still see another day of lingering vog before conditions completely clear out.

Vog is the air pollution caused by volcanic emissions.  With the absence of trade winds, voggy conditions have prevailed on Maui, hampering visibility, and resulting in complaints from some with respiratory conditions.