Hilo weather

[Georgia-boy]

I have been watching the weather for Hilo for weeks and it shows rain every day. :mad: Does it realy rain that much there and how do the tours get off the ground?:confused:

Charles

[sceptic]

Yes. It rains in Hilo a lot. I believe it's the "rainiest" city in the US. Most of the time, though, it is of a showery sort rather than a systemic rain. Granted, the showers can be pretty strong and somewhat widespread, but I'd guess in most day I've been in Hilo and environs there is at least SOME sun.

 

But I've also been there during periods of glorious clear skies, day after day. (and, truth be told, of nothing but rain for days.)

 

May I suggest you look at a webcam to get an idea of the weather in the puna district? The one at Pu'u O'o http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/cam/index.htm is interesting because you can even see the coast from it - and sometimes not three feet from the camera due to rain and fog. There is also one on Banyan Drive in Hilo

http://www.ahawaiivacationrental.net/webcams/#hilo

and another site with multiple cams on the Big Island

http://www.dolphinbayhotel.com/cgi-bin/dbay?Weather.cams

 

Regarding the forecasts, you will find that the weather service has a delightful variety of phrases that they use to describe the exact same weather: Some sun with passing showers. Some passing showers and sun. Cloudy and showers with sunny periods. Sunny with showers and cloudy periods.

 

If the text changes "passing" or "occasional" to "scattered" or "numerous" or "widespread," expect more clouds and rain than sun. If it changes to "isolated" then it's likely you won't get any rain where you are (although a mile away might.)

 

So how do the tours get off the ground? I've seen them depart while it was raining. The key is the weather over Kilauea and their primary route -- if it's socked in there, they might not fly. Ask your helicopter company about their policy.

[Georgia-boy]

I can't believe how good an answer I got for this questions.

Thank you so much.

Now maybe my wife will go.:)

[sceptic]

Hey, when I get going...

 

You're welcome, OBK

[RunningDeer]

Great links! Thank you!!!!

[Bucky3]

Thanks so much for posting these sites! I can't stand it until I'm back over there! Just when I think I'll give up my cruise critic addiction sites like these lure me back!