#humidity

Due to a significant shift in weather with low humidity and strong wind gusts on Hawai‘i Island today, Hawaiian Electric is monitoring conditions that may lead to an increased risk of wildfires. This PSPS watch could also potentially extend to Maui and O‘ahu later this week based on current weather forecasts. 

Hawaiian Electric continues to monitor the threat from high winds and dry conditions and may proactively shut off power in high risk areas on Hawai‘i Island and Maui as part of its Public Safety Power Shutoff program. Areas include Waikiʻi, Kawaihae, Waikoloa, Puakō, and south Kohala on Hawai‘i Island and west Maui, central Maui, and Upcountry.

The Maui Emergency Management Agency advises the public of a Fire Weather Watch, in effect for Friday morning through Saturday afternoon. The watch was issued mainly for leeward areas of all Hawaiian Islands due to windy conditions and low humidity.

The project includes the installation of 52 weather stations on four islands. The weather stations, mounted on Hawaiian Electric utility poles, will provide meteorological data that will help the company to decide whether to activate and deactivate a public safety power shutoff, or PSPS. Under the PSPS program launched July 1, Hawaiian Electric may preemptively shut off power in areas that are at high risk of wildfires during periods of forecast high winds and dry conditions.

A red flag warning has been extended through Wednesday afternoon for the leeward portions of all islands.  A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures prompted the warning.  Strong and gusty trades and a dry stable atmosphere are expected to persist into tomorrow. EVENTS:  The National Weather Service in Honolulu has extended […]