Climate of Hawaii

Pleasant Climate Year-Round

Imagine a place where you’re never too hot or too cold, but always “just right.” With its warm and gentle trade winds, mild temperatures and sunny skies, Hawaii is an ideal vacation spot to visit throughout the year. Generally, bikinis, tank tops and shorts will be the perfect attire, but if you’re strolling along the beach in the evening, you may want to bring a light jacket.

One might think the local weatherman is somewhat bored, but on the contrary, the islands see a lot of varying conditions and activity. On the nightly local news, you’ll find surf reports for each side of the islands, along with the tide report, wind analysis, rainfall stats and other detailed information.

The Hawaiian Islands are an amazing place of contrast. Because of the dramatic variation of Hawaii’s terrain, visitors will also find accompanying climactic differences. For example, on the island of Hawaii, also known as the Big Island, you can hit the beach and soak up the sun and heli-ski at the top of Mauna Kea in the same day! Hawaii's majestic mountains, which extend up to 13,796 feet (4,205 m), contain a climatic range from the tropic to the sub-Arctic. Overall, the weather in the islands is pleasant and never monotonous!

Climate Zones

Hawaii boasts 11 of the 13 climate zones in the world, each with unique ecosystems and weather characteristics. Factors such as elevation, pressure variations, rainfall, wind and topography combine to create distinctive locations throughout the islands. Climates you may encounter in the Hawaiian Islands include the humid tropical zones, from sea level to 450 feet (137 m), the arid and semi-arid zones, the warmest parts of the islands, the temperate zones, at certain locations above 1,300 to 1,650 feet (400 to 500 m) and the Alpine zones, chilly areas above 10,500 feet (3,200 m).

Make sure you are prepared for cooler temperatures if you’re going to be doing some mountain or volcano climbing. Generally the rule of temperature decrease is about 3.5 degrees Fahrenheit for every 1,000-foot increase (305 m) in elevation. Each of the Hawaiian Islands is home to the four primary climates of desert, tropical rainforest, temperate and tundra climates, so no matter where you stay, you’ll have the opportunity to experience the amazing natural diversity present here.

Seasons

Hawaii has only two seasons – summer, from May to September, and winter, from October to April. The early Hawaiians named them kau, the warm season (that’s when the sun is almost directly overhead and winds blow reliably from the northeast) and ho‘olio, the cooler season (when the sun is lower, the winds are more variable and there is more rainfall).

Winters are a few degrees cooler and wetter with breezy northwesterly winds. The average temperature in the islands is about 80 degrees F (26.6 C), dropping to about 75 degrees F (23.8 C) during the winter months with a 10 degree F (5.5 C) cool-down after the sun disappears. Summer highs average about 85 degrees F (29.4 C) and winter highs about 78 degrees F (25.5 C). June and July are generally the driest months for all islands. But even in Hawaii’s winter months, rain and cloud cover are very intermittent and you should get ample time in the sun.

Time Zone

Hawaii has its own time zone, aptly referred to as “Hawaiian Standard Time.” Hawaii does not observe daylight savings time, so the amount of hours the islands fall behind the continental U.S. varies. If you’re talking to people on the U.S. West Coast during daylight savings time, they will be 3 hours ahead and when daylight savings time is not in effect, 2 hours ahead. For the U.S. East Coast, the difference is 5 hours and 6 hours respectively.

Windward & Leeward

Where you are on a Hawaiian island can actually make a subtle difference in the climate. The eastern facing side, or windward side, of each island is usually the cool, wet and windy side while the western facing side, the leeward side, is warm and dry.

Rainfall

Hawaii is one of the greenest places on Earth thanks to the life-giving rains. Every day, it rains somewhere on the islands and it is common to see light rainfall while the sun is shining brightly. The volcanic crater of Mt. Waialeale on the island of Kauai receives an average of 486 inches (1,234 cm) of precipitation a year and is considered the wettest place on Earth! In contrast, there are a few spots in the islands that receive 6 or less inches (15.2 cm) of rain per year. Hilo, on the island of Hawaii, is the wettest city in the U.S. with 130 – 200 inches (330 – 508 cm) of rainfall per year. Common in the islands is a gentle misting rain, referred to as “kilihune” in Hawaiian, and great for cooling off.

Hot Sun

Hawaii’s close proximity to the equator means that the islands stay nicely warmed. On clear sky days, the sun can be especially intense, so it is recommended you use hats and sunscreen to avoid negative effects. If you accidentally end up with a sunburn, the local aloe plant cut open and applied directly is a soothing remedy.

Storms

Because Hawaii sits on the edge of a tropical zone, the islands are prone to strong trade winds and an occasional tropical storm. Although hurricanes are rare, the islands are vulnerable to Pacific Ocean storms generated to the north. In some cases, the islands will only experience the “aftershock” of storms with heavy swells, rains and super size waves. Flash flooding may occur during unusually heavy rains in the wet season, although damaging floods are rare. Only four hurricanes have been recorded in the islands since 1957.

Humidity

If you’re visiting from a landlocked area, you’ll feel the moisture in the air immediately upon landing. Visitors from typically dry areas, such as Colorado, may notice a replenished quality in their skin, or that their hair may take longer to dry after a shower or ocean swim. The Hawaiian Islands fair well with comfortably moderate humidity levels diminished easily by cooling trade winds. On rare occasions when the trade winds are absent, humidity can make the air feel a bit thick. Humidity may vary slightly on a daily basis, with an average of 63% humidity in Honolulu, and between varying climate zones and elevation.

Surf

Hawaii is a surfer’s paradise, with some of the biggest waves and cleanest barrels in the world. The North Shore of Oahu is home to the sport’s most popular pro contest, the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, held annually in November and December. Check the daily surf reports to find out which part of the island boasts the best waves.

Ocean Climate

Visitors to Hawaii are amazed at how “warm” the ocean water feels. Depending on the time of year, sea surface temperature surrounding the coast may range from 73 to 80 degrees F (22.7 to 26.6 C)! Now that’s a comfortable swim!

Tradewinds

Hawaiian residents and visitors are grateful for these steady and cool breezes brought from the northeast that sweep through the islands at an average of 12 miles (19.3 km) per hour. Tradewinds are generally steady during the summer months and a bit weaker and inconsistent in winter.

Kona Winds

Kona winds originating from the southeast accompany the climate changes in the winter and help bring much needed rain to the islands.

Rainbows

Called “anuenue” in Hawaiian, rainbows are abundant in the islands and can be seen frequently accompanying light misting rain. It’s not uncommon to see two or more colorful rainbows together.


Clouds

Thanks to the help of active sea breezes, the cloud cover in Hawaii does not usually stay put for very long. Clouds tend to hang above the mountains, drop rain and move on. If you notice it beginning to cloud up in the islands, don’t worry. Chances are they’ll be on their way shortly. And if you happen to get caught in a sudden downpour or light rain, rest assured that it may clear up within minutes.

Hawaii’s mild climate, beautiful scenery, warm ocean and gentle breezes make it the perfect vacation destination.