Hawaii Weather

General Weather Patterns

The best thing about Hawaii's weather is that it is very localized. You may be driving along the island and be in a rainstorm one minute and in bright sun the next. This variety of weather allows you to fully experience Hawaii and its sun-drenched beaches, misty rainbow-filled valleys, pristine waterfalls, cool highlands, and lush mountains.

Here are a few additional things to keep in mind, summarized, about Hawaii's weather:

• Read up on the forecasts at the University of Hawaii Weather before you visit and during your stay, as they have the best and most accurate forecast in the islands.
• Don't listen to the Weather Channel or watch the NOAA forecast graphs, of course, they'll predict rain - it rains almost every day in Hawaii... for about 10 minutes at a time. The only time it's really wet in Hawaii for a prolonged time is during the winter months, usually from November until March.
• As far as temperature goes, plan accordingly for the island you're visiting. At sea level, it's usually about 76-85°F (24-29°C) all year-round. Temperatures at night are typically 12-18°F (7-8°C) cooler, but this can change dramatically depending on your altitude. Volcano, on the Big Island, or Kokee on Kauai, can get quite chilly at night for example. If you're planning to go up to higher elevations on either Maui or the Big Island, bring a small coat and long convertible pants. It can get very cold at the summit of the larger volcanoes - trust us on that!

The islands of Hawaii are affected by the trade winds. These winds blow NE to ENE and are typically more prevalent in the winter months. These trade winds bring cool air to the islands from the north, often resulting in precipitation along inland/mountain and windward areas. At times, these winds can die down and practically reverse so that a south wind blows over the islands, resulting in very hot and muggy conditions. These winds are called Kona winds.

One mistake a lot of people make when they visit Hawaii is to assume there is a wet and/or dry season, but it's not quite that simple. Granted, there are two distinct times of the year, and weather patterns due vary to the trade winds, but there is no defined "rainy season." The general point to be made is, you can't just say it's rainy in the winter and dry in the summer. We've seen it bone dry in the winter, and had flooding in the summer; each enough time to derail most short-term trends. Still, we can look at the long-term trends and get a general idea of what to expect.

Ultimately, remember this above all else - don't fret about the weather, it's Hawaii! Showers are typically short-lived and sporadic most any time of year, and the temperature is almost always just right.

Hawaii Climate Patterns

Long-Term Weather Trends

On average, the summer months are the driest and sunniest, but they are also the warmest and most humid. The winter months usually bring more rain to the windward side of the islands- along the north and east- but prolonged rainstorms are uncommon. 

The southern coasts of each island are the driest parts year-round. Also, consider that Hawaii is geographically and topographically one of the most diverse places you'll ever find. The weather from one side of an island to the other varies greatly over distance and topography. Since the weather can be so unpredictable in Hawaii, keeping a small poncho with you during hikes or other outdoor activities is a good idea. Unless you hike into any valleys, where clouds can build up and stick around a while, you're likely only to experience rain in short spells.

Hawaii Year-Round Temperatures

Hawaii is fortunate in that it has a mild and pleasant temperature throughout the year, although those not used to humidity may be a bit uncomfortable. There is hardly any difference between night and day temperatures year-round. The occasional storm or the trade winds may produce an exception to this rule, but even then temperatures don't vary by much. The average high and low in the summer are around 85°F (29°C) and 71°F (22°C), respectively; while the average high and low in the winter are 78°F (25°C) and 62°F (16°C), respectively. We included a graphic depicting the annual precipitation in the state, it may help visualize which months receive the most and least precipitation.

The land temperature estimates only apply near sea level, so please keep in mind that elevation changes will alter the temperatures. With every 1,000 ft. (305m) climb in elevation, the temperature, on average, drops another 3.5°F (-9.8C/1000m). We strongly urge visitors to take note that certain islands' topography changes often, as does elevation. If you plan to visit the summits of Haleakala on Maui or Mauna Kea on the Big Island, you'll also need to prepare accordingly as temperatures at 10,000-14,000 ft. (3,048-4,067m) can be downright cold even in the summer months.

We advise against winter travel to the summits on the Big Island, as blizzards are not uncommon there. Ultimately, our message is simple: Keep the topography and elevation of where you are traveling in mind and prepare accordingly. Even if you do not plan to visit the summit areas on Maui or the Big Island (or visit either of these islands at all), a light jacket might be useful in other areas around the island you're visiting where elevations are above 3,000-4,000 ft (914-1,219m). Jackets or light sweaters are also useful for any dawn/dusk hiking at higher elevations, like Kokee on Kauai or Hawaii Volcanoes Park on the Big Island.

If it's the ocean temperatures you're wondering about, rest assured you'll find warm temperatures year-round. Ocean temperatures remain pretty comfortable throughout the year ranging from 80°F (27°C) in the summer to a milder 74°F (23°C) in the winter.

El Niño and La Niña affects on Hawaii

These two weather systems/events have an impact on the islands. During El Niño winters, the islands are typically drier. Whereas in La Niña years, rainfall in Hawaii has tended to be near to above normal during the winter months. The rainy season has also lasted longer into the spring during La Niña years. Hawaii may receive above-normal rainfall not only during the normally wet period of January through March but during a strong La Niña period, the excess wetness may continue through May in many locations.