Influence of the trade-wind inversion on the climate of a leeward mountain slope in Hawaii

Abstract

Solar radiation, net radiation, air temperature, humidity, and wind measurements were taken along a transect on the leeward slope of Haleakala, Maui. Measurements indicate that the climate of Haleakala can be described with reference to 4 zones: a marine zone, below about 1200 m, of moist well-mixed air in contact with the oceanic moisture source; and fog zone found approximately between 1200 and 1800 m, where the cloud layer is frequently in contact with the surface; a transitional zone, from about 1800 to 2400 m, with a highly variable climate; and an arid zone, above 2400 m, usually above the inversion where air is extremely dry due to its isolation from the oceanic moisture source. -from Authors