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Weather on all of the Hawaiian Islands is very consistent, with only minor changes in temperature throughout the year.
This is due to year-round warm sea surface temperatures, which keep the overlying atmosphere warm as well.
In practical terms, there are only 2 seasons: the summer months (called Kau in Hawaiian) that extend from May to
October and the winter months (Ho'oilo) that run from November to April. The average daytime summer temperature at
sea level is 85 degrees F. (29.4 C) while the average daytime winter temperature is 78 degrees (25.6 C).
Temperatures at night are approximately 10 degrees F lower.
From Hilo City, Mauna Kea is seen reflected in red in the morning sun. Photo courtesy Hawaii Tourism Japan.
The islands are an incredible collection of many diverse micro-environments, each with its own unique weather, plants and
animals. As a result of the shielding effect of volcanic mountains and the differences in weather found at various
elevations, there are as many different climate zones here as exist along the entire coast stretching from Alaska to
Costa Rica. For the full impact of this, visitors need only explore the islands by car or helicopter and they'll see
the beauty of tropical rain forests, cool alpine regions, stony deserts and sunny beaches - all within the span of
just a few short miles.
Photo courtesy Hawaii Tourism Japan.
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Rainfall and Storms
Through most of the year, Hawaiian weather patterns are affected primarily by high-pressure zones in the north Pacific that
pump cool, moist trade winds down onto the island's northeastern slopes. This holds true for most of the summer and
approximately half of the time in the winter. These winds are forced up-slope by the mountain heights where their moisture
condenses into clouds that produce rain.
Most of the rain falls in the mountains and valleys on the windward (northeastern)
side of the islands.
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It is this weather phenomenon that creates the rich tropical environment for Hawaii's flowers and
verdant greens. The wettest months are from November - March, but winter rains do not generally disrupt vacation plans,
since the weather is very localized. This means that if it is raining where you are, there is almost always a sunny spot
to be found around the coast.
The action of trade winds here means that there is always a cooling breeze. The strength of this wind builds as the heat of
the day rises and reaches a peak in the afternoon, only to diminish in the evening and start again the next day. Several
times during the year the trade winds will stop completely and the wind will switch around to come out of the south or west,
bringing stormy or hot sticky weather. Islanders sometimes call this "Kona" weather, because kona means leeward or South,
and this points to the direction from which these weather systems arrive. Stormy weather comes to the islands, primarily
in the winter and sometimes lingers for several days. Severe storms, however, are not a common occurrence.
Water and Surf Conditions
Hawaii's near-shore water temperatures remain comfortable throughout the year. The average water temperature is 74 degrees F.
(23.3 C), with a summer high of 80 degrees F. (26.7 C). Wave action varies dramatically between winter and summer, and
between island coasts. Summer waters are typically very gentle on all beaches. This changes in the winter on many north-facing
beaches, as storms far out into the Pacific drive ocean swells towards the islands, building large breaking waves.
As with island rains, wave conditions are often very localized, so if there is too much surf on your beach, you can usually
find calmer water at a more sheltered beach. Strong currents can make any beach unsafe at any time during the year, but
this is particularly true in the winter. When in doubt, simply ask your hotel staff or a lifeguard for recommendations and
also look for warning flags and posted beach conditions.
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Photo courtesy Ron Dahlquist.
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Hawaii's Mountains and Volcanoes
Many visitors are drawn to the natural beauty found in higher elevations such as Kokee on Kauai, or Haleakala on Maui, or
Kilauea on the Big Island. To prepare for the trip, bring long pants and several layers of cool weather clothing because
the temperature in the higher locations drops 3.5 degrees for every 1,000 feet above sea level that you climb. For example,
the summit of Haleakala at an elevation of 10,023 feet can be as much as 30 degrees F. cooler than resort areas on the coast.
Because these peaks rise through the earth's atmosphere, there is less protection from the sun's powerful burning rays.
This burning effect can be easily masked by the cool temperatures on the mountain, so be sure to use sun block liberally,
and bring a hat and sunglasses.
Information courtesy Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau.
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