Weather

Climate in The Hawaiian Islands

Weather in The Hawaiian Islands is very consistent, with only minor changes in temperature throughout the year. There are really only two seasons in Hawaiʻi: summer (kau) from May to October and winter (hoʻoilo) from November to April. The average daytime summer temperature at sea level is 85° F (29.4° C), while the average daytime winter temperature is 78° (25.6° C). Temperatures at night are approximately 10° F lower than the daytime.

Temperature & Climate Zones
The islands are an incredible collection of 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 at various elevations, you can find tropical rainforests, cool alpine regions, arid deserts and sunny beaches—all within the span of just a few miles

Rainfall & Trade Winds
Throughout the year, Hawaiʻi weather patterns are affected primarily by high-pressure zones in the north Pacific that pump cool, moist trade winds down onto the islands’ northeastern slopes. These winds are forced upslope 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. It is this weather phenomenon that creates Hawaiʻi’s rich, green, tropical environment.

The wettest months are from November to 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 Hawaiian Islands’ trade winds mean there is almost always a cooling breeze here. 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.

Water & Surf Conditions
The Hawaiian Islands’ near-shore water temperatures remain comfortable throughout the year. The average water temperature is 74° F (23.3° C), with a summer high of 80° F (26.7° C). Wave action varies dramatically between island coasts and seasons. Summer waters are typically gentle on all beaches. During the winter on many north shore beaches, Pacific storms drive ocean swells towards the islands, creating The Hawaiian Islands’ legendary big waves.

Wave conditions are often very localized, so if the waves are too big 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, particularly in the winter. Ask your hotel staff or a lifeguard about ocean currents or look for warning flags and posted beach conditions.

Please heed all weather warnings before hiking, swimming, sailing or participating in any outdoor activities. 

Hawaiʻi's Mountains & Volcanoes
Many visitors are drawn to the natural beauty found in higher elevations such as Kōkeʻe on Kauaʻi, Haleakalā on Maui or Kīlauea on the island of Hawaiʻi. Temperatures in these higher locations drop 3.5° F for every 1,000 feet above sea level that you climb, so dress appropriately with pants and several layers of clothing. At an elevation of 10,023 feet, the summit of Haleakalā can be as much as 30° F cooler than resort areas on the coast.

Also note that because of these high elevations, there is less protection from the sun's powerful UV rays, so come prepared with sunblock and sunglasses.


VOG (Volcanic Fog)
Vog is the local term for "volcanic fog" and it describes the hazy air pollution that occasionally hangs over the islands. Vog is caused when sulfur dioxide and other gasses from Kīlauea's Halemaʻumaʻu Crater (on the island of Hawaiʻi) mix with moisture in the air and sunlight. Under extreme conditions—when the volcano is active and the winds carry the fumes north to the rest of the island chain—vog can be hazardous to plants, animals and humans. The most common effects are headaches, watery eyes and breathing difficulties. These effects can be especially pronounced in people with respiratory conditions and young children. It is not advisable to exercise or participate in strenuous outdoor activities when the vog is very heavy. Depending on your personal sensitivity, you may want to learn more about vog before traveling to Hawaiʻi Island and visiting Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

Want to know what the vog conditions are around the island? Check your local news weather report.

Not all hazy conditions are caused by vog. If you see a white mist along the coast, it could simply be salt spray hanging in the air. Or if it's hazy along the mountains in the morning, chances are you're looking at moisture in the air from the updrafts along the ridges.

The Hawaiian Islands Weather

Poipu, Kauaʻi

Today light rain 82°F 28°C
24/07 Thu light rain 82°F28°C
25/07 Fri scattered clouds 82°F27°C
26/07 Sat clear sky 81°F27°C
27/07 Sun few clouds 81°F27°C
28/07 Mon clear sky 82°F28°C

Līhuʻe

Today light rain 82°F 28°C
24/07 Thu light rain 81°F27°C
25/07 Fri scattered clouds 81°F27°C
26/07 Sat clear sky 81°F27°C
27/07 Sun scattered clouds 80°F27°C
28/07 Mon clear sky 81°F27°C

Kapaʻa

Today light rain 79°F 26°C
24/07 Thu light rain 79°F26°C
25/07 Fri scattered clouds 80°F26°C
26/07 Sat clear sky 79°F26°C
27/07 Sun few clouds 78°F26°C
28/07 Mon clear sky 79°F26°C

Honolulu, Oʻahu

Today few clouds 86°F 30°C
24/07 Thu scattered clouds 84°F29°C
25/07 Fri scattered clouds 81°F27°C
26/07 Sat clear sky 81°F27°C
27/07 Sun clear sky 81°F27°C
28/07 Mon few clouds 82°F28°C

West Side

Today clear sky 83°F 28°C
24/07 Thu scattered clouds 83°F28°C
25/07 Fri scattered clouds 83°F28°C
26/07 Sat clear sky 82°F28°C
27/07 Sun clear sky 83°F28°C
28/07 Mon clear sky 84°F29°C

North Shore (Turtle Bay)

Today overcast clouds 83°F 28°C
24/07 Thu overcast clouds 82°F28°C
25/07 Fri scattered clouds 80°F27°C
26/07 Sat clear sky 79°F26°C
27/07 Sun clear sky 79°F26°C
28/07 Mon scattered clouds 79°F26°C

Hoʻolehua, Molokaʻi

Today clear sky 84°F 29°C
24/07 Thu scattered clouds 82°F28°C
25/07 Fri clear sky 78°F26°C
26/07 Sat clear sky 77°F25°C
27/07 Sun clear sky 77°F25°C
28/07 Mon few clouds 78°F25°C

Molokaʻi Airport

Today clear sky 84°F 29°C
24/07 Thu scattered clouds 82°F28°C
25/07 Fri clear sky 78°F26°C
26/07 Sat clear sky 77°F25°C
27/07 Sun clear sky 77°F25°C
28/07 Mon few clouds 78°F25°C

Kaunakakai City

Today clear sky 86°F 30°C
24/07 Thu few clouds 84°F29°C
25/07 Fri clear sky 80°F27°C
26/07 Sat clear sky 79°F26°C
27/07 Sun clear sky 79°F26°C
28/07 Mon few clouds 79°F26°C

Lānaʻi City, Lānaʻi

Today overcast clouds 77°F 25°C
24/07 Thu light rain 76°F25°C
25/07 Fri clear sky 76°F24°C
26/07 Sat clear sky 75°F24°C
27/07 Sun clear sky 75°F24°C
28/07 Mon clear sky 76°F24°C

Manele Bay Beach

Today broken clouds 87°F 30°C
24/07 Thu broken clouds 86°F30°C
25/07 Fri scattered clouds 84°F29°C
26/07 Sat few clouds 82°F28°C
27/07 Sun few clouds 84°F29°C
28/07 Mon light rain 83°F29°C

Lānaʻi Airport

Today overcast clouds 77°F 25°C
24/07 Thu light rain 76°F25°C
25/07 Fri clear sky 76°F24°C
26/07 Sat clear sky 75°F24°C
27/07 Sun clear sky 75°F24°C
28/07 Mon clear sky 76°F24°C

Kahului Airport, Maui

Today broken clouds 83°F 28°C
24/07 Thu broken clouds 82°F28°C
25/07 Fri clear sky 81°F27°C
26/07 Sat clear sky 79°F26°C
27/07 Sun few clouds 79°F26°C
28/07 Mon light rain 79°F26°C

Whalers Village in Kaʻanapali

Today broken clouds 84°F 29°C
24/07 Thu broken clouds 82°F28°C
25/07 Fri clear sky 79°F26°C
26/07 Sat clear sky 78°F26°C
27/07 Sun clear sky 78°F26°C
28/07 Mon light rain 78°F26°C

The Shops at Wailea in Wailea

Today broken clouds 85°F 29°C
24/07 Thu overcast clouds 84°F29°C
25/07 Fri clear sky 84°F29°C
26/07 Sat clear sky 81°F27°C
27/07 Sun clear sky 82°F28°C
28/07 Mon light rain 81°F27°C

Hilo, Hawaiʻi

Today light rain 82°F 28°C
24/07 Thu broken clouds 81°F27°C
25/07 Fri broken clouds 79°F26°C
26/07 Sat few clouds 78°F26°C
27/07 Sun light rain 77°F25°C
28/07 Mon light rain 79°F26°C

Kailua/Kona

Today broken clouds 80°F 27°C
24/07 Thu broken clouds 80°F26°C
25/07 Fri broken clouds 79°F26°C
26/07 Sat clear sky 80°F26°C
27/07 Sun clear sky 81°F27°C
28/07 Mon few clouds 81°F27°C

Puakō

Today broken clouds 87°F 31°C
24/07 Thu broken clouds 86°F30°C
25/07 Fri scattered clouds 84°F29°C
26/07 Sat few clouds 83°F28°C
27/07 Sun few clouds 84°F29°C
28/07 Mon light rain 84°F29°C

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Maps & Geography

Coastline in Hawaii
Want to get the lay of the land? Explore maps and geographical features of The Hawaiian Islands here.
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