Despite a drier-than-average March on most of the island, rainfall totals for the year so far continue to be higher than average.
According to a National Weather Service report, much of the Big Island received less rainfall than normal throughout March, with only 12 rain gauges receiving above-average precipitation.
Throughout March, Hilo received 10.93 inches of rainfall, only 81 percent of the area’s average March rainfall. Pahoa received 11.36 inches, 78 percent of its average, while Mountain View’s 14.94 inches was only 82 percent of its typical March precipitation.
Despite this, all three locations have still received above-average rainfall this year so far, thanks largely to heavy rains throughout February. Hilo has received 41 inches this year, or 27 percent more than its three-month average; Pahoa’s 54 inches is 51 percent above average; and Mountain View is 34 percent above average at 58 inches.
On the other side of the island, only 1.12 inches fell on Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport, .66 on an inch less than its typical monthly average. This year so far, that gauge has received 89 percent of its typical year-to-date rainfall.
As per usual, the Saddle Quarry received the highest rainfall this month with 29.26 inches, nearly double its March average. The highest rainfall in an actually populated area occurred in Papaikou, where 17 inches of rain fell, only 75 percent of its March average.
Other rain gauges that received more rainfall than average in March were located in areas that typically receive less than 10 inches of rain during the month: Waikoloa, which typically receives 1.34 inches in March, saw 2.21 inches last month; Kahuku Ranch saw 5.46, 79 percent more than its average; and Kapapala received 9.42 inches, 43 percent higher than average.
The greatest percentage deviation above average was seen on Mauna Loa, on which 4.81 inches fell last month, 204 percent of its typical March rainfall.
Meanwhile, Kahua Ranch saw the greatest detected deviation below average at 2.54 inches, only 31 percent of its March average.
Kevin Kodama, senior service hydrologist at the National Weather Service forecast office in Honolulu, said taking the rainfall totals at face value can be deceptive.
“March is one of the wettest months of the year for the east side of the Big Island,” Kodama said.
“So even if you get less than average rain, that’s still a lot of rain.”
Kodama said the heavy rain in February and the drier weeks in March were opposite extremes of a slow-moving weather pattern sweeping westward.
With rain forecast throughout next week, Kodama said incoming trade winds will likely lead to more regular rain cycles in the coming months.
Email Michael Brestovansky at mbrestovansky@hawaiitribune-herald.com.