08-22-2018, 05:31 PM
"A point on Iselle: Its winds were only 60 mph when it hit Kau. We cannot assume Iselle's weakening was hastened by its approach to our 2 mountains. But the Iselle event also does not provide information as to whether a Category 3 or 4 storm path might be impacted by approaching the Big Island."
Well, I guess that's a true statement, but if the mountains didn't deflect Iselle, then what mechanism would deflect much more powerful storms? Also, it's well known that the mountains will weaken winds as they disrupt lower-level winds, but they have little impact on the low-pressure system driving those winds, so although the mountains might provide some local shelter, there's little to no evidence they deflect storms or significantly reduce the potential threats from powerful storms. In fact, the mountains may even cause greater flooding due to orographic lifting.
Well, I guess that's a true statement, but if the mountains didn't deflect Iselle, then what mechanism would deflect much more powerful storms? Also, it's well known that the mountains will weaken winds as they disrupt lower-level winds, but they have little impact on the low-pressure system driving those winds, so although the mountains might provide some local shelter, there's little to no evidence they deflect storms or significantly reduce the potential threats from powerful storms. In fact, the mountains may even cause greater flooding due to orographic lifting.