Undisturbed trade-wind conditions compose the most prevalent synoptic weather pattern in Hawai‘i and produce a distinct pattern of orographic rainfall. Significant total rainfall contributions and extreme events are linked to four types of atmospheric disturbances: cold fronts, kona lows, upper-tropospheric disturbances, and tropical cyclones. In this study, a 20-yr (1990–2010) categorical disturbance time series is compiled and analyzed in relation to daily rainfall over the same period. The primary objective of this research is to determine how disturbances contribute to total wet-season rainfall on the Island of O‘ahu, Hawai‘i. On average, 41% of wet-seasonal rainfall occurs on disturbance days. A total of 17% of seasonal rainfall [...]
