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What NWS Forecasters Are Watching
AI summary. Plain-English rewrite of the official NWS Honolulu forecast discussion. AI can make mistakes — always double-check the official forecast before heading out.
Things to plan around
Good bet right now
Source: NWS Honolulu Area Forecast Discussion — rewritten in plain English by Claude Haiku 4.5.
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Microclimate Conditions
Hawaii's mountains create dramatically different weather on opposite sides of each island. The windward (east) side gets more rain and cloud cover, while the leeward (west) side stays drier and sunnier. Here's what each side looks like right now.
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Source: Open-Meteo (NOAA GFS / DWD ICON model data)
Live Weather Radar
Live precipitation radar from the National Weather Service, refreshed every few minutes. Start with the all-islands view, then zoom into a single island to see exactly where rain is moving.
Showing: Hawaii regional composite (all islands)
Source: NOAA / National Weather Service — loops cover the past hour and regenerate every few minutes. For zooming and panning, open the interactive NWS radar viewer.
What to Expect
Temperature
Hawaii stays between 75–85°F year-round at sea level. Higher elevations (Haleakala, Mauna Kea) drop 3–4°F per 1,000 feet. Summit temps can hit freezing in winter.
Rain Patterns
Rain is hyperlocal. It can pour in one valley while the beach a mile away stays dry. Windward sides average 2–3x more rainfall than leeward coasts. Most showers are brief.
Trade Winds
Northeast trade winds blow 10–20 mph most days, keeping the air comfortable. When trades die ("Kona weather"), humidity rises and skies can get hazy. Trades are strongest in summer.
Wet vs. Dry Season
November through March is the wet season (more rain, bigger surf on north shores). April through October is drier. Both seasons are warm enough for the beach.
Island Weather Guides
Each island has its own microclimate personality. These guides cover precipitation maps, monthly climate data, and region-by-region breakdowns to help you pick the right area to stay.
Oahu Weather
Honolulu climate data, precipitation map, windward vs. leeward patterns
Maui Weather
Kahului averages, driest to wettest regions, Hana Highway rain tips
Big Island Weather
Kona vs. Hilo climates, 11 climate zones, vog conditions
Kauai Weather
Lihue averages, north vs. south shore rainfall, wettest spot on earth
Hawaii Weather Overview » — Climate patterns, hurricane season, and general travel guidance
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