Chilly mornings are likely to persist
A record low is due to few clouds or winds, forecast also for next weekend
Chilly "extra blanket" night and morning temperatures are expected to continue for a couple more evenings, according to the National Weather Service.
It got down to 59 degrees at Honolulu Airport early yesterday, tying with the record temperature for Christmas Eve set in 1978.
National Weather Service lead forecaster Tim Craig said early-morning temperatures today were expected to be close to the record 59 degrees in Honolulu again this morning.
The low temperatures are largely thanks to the tail end of a cold front that passed over the islands last week, leaving cloudless skies and light winds in its wake.
"If you're minus the clouds and you're minus the winds," Craig said, "the earth radiates a lot of its heat at night."
Weather service meteorologist Ray Tanabe said light winds are in the forecast through Tuesday.
The coldest temperatures happen just before sunrise, Craig said. During the day, with few clouds and light winds, temperatures have been rising by as much as 20 degrees, to the low 80s.
Tanabe said trade winds are expected to pick up Wednesday, but they will likely be short-lived.
Light winds and possibly cool temperatures are expected to be back, he said, for New Year's Eve.