High Winds and Flooding Rains December 4-11 2007

A complex storm system developed in the northwest Pacific Ocean and moved southeast toward Hawaii on December 3, 2007. As the system moved southeast, the associated cold front intensified and approached the island chain from the west. Strong southwest winds ahead of the cold front were reported across Kauai and Oahu on the fourth and fifth. Lingering atmospheric instability behind a previous frontal system combined with warm, moist conditions ahead of the cold front lead to extremely heavy rains across the state with Maui and the Big Island receiving the heaviest rains between the sixth and the eighth of December. The storm weakened and drifted northeast toward the end of the period, but a surface trough remained across the state keeping conditions unsettled until roughly December 11. Widespread property damage was reported all across the state during this weather event.

The approach of the front and the strong southwest flow prompted forecasters to issue high wind warnings for parts of Kauai and Oahu. As the front moved down the island chain, additional warnings were issued. Although winds were generally strong across the state, downslope zones of northeast Kauai, central Oahu, windward Oahu, and Molokai saw the highest gusts, in the 60-70 mph range. Very strong winds were also reported at the summits of Haleakala on Maui and the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa on the Big Island of approximately 70-80 mph.

Maui and the Big Island experienced the heaviest rainfall during the event. Widespread flooding was common across portions of central and upcountry Maui. Flash flooding in the Waiohuli area of Maui swept a house from its foundation. Two day totals for the period ending at 8:00 am HST Thursday, December 6, 2007 were between ten and twelve inches at the Kapapala Ranch and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Headquarters gauges. Up to two feet of water covered portions of Highway 11 in the Kau district of the Big Island. State wide totals for the same period ranged from one to six inches.

Conditions on the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa deteriorated rapidly during the approach of the front on the fifth of December. High winds and snow showers created white-out conditions on the summits. Snow levels dropped down to around eleven thousand feet. Seven foot snow drifts and icing forced park rangers to shut down the Mauna Kea access road on the fifth. Conditions did not allow for the road to be reopened until the end of the storm period.

Extensive property damage resulted from the event. Roofs were blown off of houses in downslope areas and downed power lines created widespread power outages. Estimates compiled from local authorities placed the damage cost for the event in the area of $3.4 million.

A map of damages resulting from the storm
Disclaimer
Download the data for this map as a KML file.

Wind Gusts Reported
As of 4:15 pm HST WED DEC 5 2007
Station	Island	Speed
MAKAPULAPAI	MOLOKAI	72
SCHOFIELD FB	OAHU	70
WHEELER AAF	OAHU	68
KAUPO GAP	MAUI	67
SCHOFIELD BRKS	OAHU	63
WAIANAE HARBOR	OAHU	59
MOLOAA DAIRY	KAUAI	59
LANAI 1	LANAI	58
KANEOHE MCBH	OAHU	58
MAKAHA RIDGE	KAUAI	56
LIHUE	KAUAI	55
KAHULUI AP	MAUI	53
PTA WEST	HAWAII	51
PUU WAAWAA	HAWAII	51
BELLOWS	OAHU	51
KANELOA	KAHOOLAWE	51
KII	OAHU	49
MAKUA RANGE	OAHU	49
DILLINGHAM	OAHU	49
HONOKANAIA	KAHOOLAWE	49
HONOLULU AP	OAHU	48
PORT ALLEN	KAUAI	48
KEAHOLE AP	HAWAII	47
WAIANAE VALLEY	OAHU	46
KAHOOLAWE	KAHOOLAWE	46
MOLOKAI AP	MOLOKAI	46
KAHUKU TRNG	OAHU	46
KALAELOA	OAHU	44
KAHUKU	OAHU	44
OAHU FOREST NWR	OAHU	44
PALI 2	HAWAII	43
MOLOKAI 1	MOLOKAI	43
SCHOFIELD EAST	OAHU	41
PTA KIPUKA ALALA	HAWAII	41
KAWAIHAE	HAWAII	40