2012 Hawaii hailstorm

On the morning of March 9, 2012, a long-lived hailstorm hit the Hawaiian islands of Oahu and Lanai. The hailstorm was produced by a supercell thunderstorm. This event produced the largest hailstone ever recorded in Hawaii since records began in 1950. The hailstone was measured at 4.5 in (10 cm) long, 2.25 in (6 cm) tall, and 2 in (5 cm) wide.[2] National Weather Service meteorologist Tom Birchard stated that the event was "unprecedented."[3]

2012 Hawaii hailstorm
EF0 tornado
The record-setting hailstone being measured.
Tornadoes
confirmed		One
Max. rating1EF0 tornado
Damage$25,000[1]
Areas affectedOahu, Lanai

1Most severe tornado damage; see Enhanced Fujita scale

In addition to the spectacular early-morning lightning storms and flooding from the 4 feet (1.2 meters) of rainfall received, a tornadic waterspout formed off the coast of Oahu during the morning of March 9, 2012. Non-supercellular waterspouts are not uncommon (the State of Hawaii records an average of one waterspout/tornado per year), this mesocyclone-induced waterspout tracked inland for 1.5 miles, becoming an EF0 tornado that caused minor damage to the Enchanted Lakes subdivision of Kailua at 7:10 am Hawaiian-Aleutian Time.[4]

Confirmed tornadoes
List of reported tornadoes - Friday, March 9, 2012
EF#LocationCountyCoord.Time (UTC)Path lengthComments/Damage
Hawaii
EF0 ESE of Kailua Honolulu 21.40°N 157.72°W / 21.40; -157.72 (Kailua (Mar. 9, EF0)) 0910 1.5 miles (2.4 km) Tornado started as a waterspout that moved ashore. Roofs were damaged, signs and power lines were knocked down, and trees were snapped.
Sources: NWS Honolulu

See also

References
  1. Storm Events Database, NOAA
  2. "Hailstone sets state record in Hawaii". USA Today. March 23, 2012. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
  3. Kakesako, Gregg K. (March 10, 2012). "Hail freezes over in Hawaii". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  4. Hawaii News Now (KGMB-TV and KHNL-TV)


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