LIHUE — Scientists say Kauai’s drought is expected to worsen in some areas while improving in others.
The Garden Island Reports that National Weather Service hydrologist Kevin Kodama says windward sides of the island should get more rain but the leeward sides will stay dry.
Interior Kauai and Niihau are abnormally dry, while NWS Honolulu meteorologist Tom Birchard says much of the coastline is dealing with a moderate drought.
Birchard says rain levels across Kauai this year have been about 50 percent below normal.
The culprit is El Nino, the irregular weather pattern that causes temperature and rainfall changes in the Pacific Ocean.
Department of Water spokeswoman Kim Tamaoka says the dry conditions have not had any significant effect of the county’s water supply so far.