Weekly averaged sea surface temperatures (top, °C) and anomalies (bottom, °C) for the past twelve weeks. SST analysis is the optimum interpolation (OI) analysis, while anomalies are departures from the adjusted OI climatology (Reynolds and Smith 1995, J. Climate, 8, 1571-1583). Images courtesy of NOAA. Current El Niño status by NOAA

MEDIA RELEASE

Dry El Nino weather forecast for this Winter is worsening drought conditions and increasing the effects of vog on the Big Island, said Quince Mento, head of the Hawai‘i County Civil Defense.

The County of Hawai‘i has been under a drought declaration since 2007, and the Civil Defense agency is advising residents that El Nino weather is expected to continue for the next few months.

On Friday, the Department of Water Supply issued a water conservation notice for the hard hit areas of Naalehu and Waiohinu to South Point, asking water consumers in affected areas to reduce their usage by 10 percent.

Persons using the free County water spigots are asked to exercise courtesy at the distribution sites and to take only as much water as needed for personal use in their homes.

Residents on catchment tank systems are advised to monitor their water level and water quality daily and to call well in advance for water deliveries if necessary. Commercial water haulers are beginning to report back orders of a week or more, Mento said.

El Nino conditions also mean that trade winds will be less frequent, resulting in more volcanic emissions impacting residents of upper Puna, especially in the vicinity of KÄ«lauea summit.

Civil Defense, Department of Health and Fire Department officials monitor sulfur dioxide emissions from the volcano constantly, but exactly where, when and to what extent a particular community will be impacted by vog cannot be predicted. “Residents need to be prepared,” Mento said.

According to monitoring by the Department of Education, Volcano Charter School and Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, air quality, especially sulfur dioxide concentration, is significantly better indoors when there is vog outside. High sulfur dioxide events do not persist longer than one-to-three hours, so it is recommended that one stay indoors during periods of heavy vog in the area. The use of air conditioners and air cleaners are encouraged for increased indoor comfort.

Residents in affected areas are also encouraged to limit physical exertion, drink plenty of fluids, and make sure necessary medications are readily available. For exposure to emissions, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control recommends use of inhalers before symptoms appear. Residents are encouraged to seek advice from their personal physician, to refrain from smoking and avoid second-hand smoke.

Anyone experiencing negative health effects from emissions should leave the affected area and seek medical attention if necessary. Air quality usually improves within two to three hours.

The National Weather Service’s Climate Predication Center expects El Nino conditions to produce drier than-average conditions in the central tropical Pacific at least through March.

For more information, call Civil Defense at 930-0031.