New research shows La Nina is not helping Hawai'i's rainfall and groundwater
Thursday, November 12, 2015 - 14:30
in Earth & Climate
Historically when El Niño events occur, Hawai'i has experienced nearly six months of drought, from November to April. Conversely, during La Niña events rainfall has been greater than normal - building up Hawai'i's groundwater supply. New research published this month in the Journal of Climate by scientists at the University of Hawai'i - Mānoa, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, and NOAA's Honolulu National Weather Service (NWS) Office, determined that the relationship between La Niña and rainfall in Hawai'i has changed and recent La Niña years have brought less-than-normal rainfall.