Final answer:
The state known for experiencing Kona storms with strong southerly winds and heavy rainfall is Hawaii. These storms contribute to the high precipitation on the islands' windward sides due to the geographic features like Mount Waialeale that cause a rain shadow effect on the leeward side.
Step-by-step explanation:
The state that experiences Kona storms with strong southerly winds and heavy rains is B) Hawaii. Kona storms are a type of seasonal cyclone in the Hawaiian Islands, usually formed during the winter months. They bring about wet weather patterns and strong southerly winds that can cause significant rainfall, especially on the windward sides of the islands.
Hawaii's unique geography, with high mountains like Mount Waialeale on Kauai, creates pronounced weather patterns, including the rain shadow effect. This results in semi-desert conditions on the leeward side of the mountain while the windward side can receive up to 460 inches of rain per year, making it one of the wettest places on Earth. Therefore, Kona storms contribute to this high level of precipitation on the windward side. Kiribati, another island nation in the Pacific, also experiences dramatic weather changes, but it is Hawaii that is known for Kona storms.