Heavy rains and convection that occurred between April 14 and 15th in 2018 pushed Waipā Garden in Kauai, Hawaii to set the new record for the greatest 24-hour rainfall total.
A rainfall gauge located at the Waipā Foundation, just west of the town of Hanalei in northern Kauai measured a total rainfall during that period of 49.69” (1262 mm). The previous record was 43 inches at a location near Alvin, Texas, on 25-26 July 1979 as a result of the landfall of Tropical Storm Claudette.
Most of the rainfall that led to the new 24-hour rainfall record fell in three bursts:
- 1300-1900 HST on the 14th, when just under 20 inches of rain was recorded
- 0000-0500 on the 15th, when about 18 inches of rain was recorded
- 1030-1245 on the 15th, when about 8 inches of rain was recorded
The 24-hour rainfall record was certified by the National Climate Extremes Committee (NCEC).
- Memorandum for the record
- Existing Records – weather extremes
