More records broken during steamy first half of November

November continues to be unusually hot, with high temperature records tied or broken 10 out of 14 days this month.

Records were tied or broken Nov. 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10 and 11, with more record high temperatures set Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in Hilo, according to the National Weather Service.

On Tuesday, the high temperature reached 87 degrees, breaking the old record of 86 set for that date in 1988, while Wednesday saw a high of 88 degrees, breaking the old record of 87 set in 2004. Thursday’s high measured 88 again, breaking the old record of 87 set in 1996.

A meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Honolulu said earlier this month that the higher temperatures have been caused by warmer sea surface temperatures and a lack of robust trade winds that help stir the water.

Water surrounding the islands is 2-3 degrees warmer than normal, which generally translates to warmer temperatures, the meteorologist said.
Source: Hawaii Tribune Herald