Hawaii really does have a tropical climate in relation to constant temperatures throughout a whole year and, of course, comfortable warm Pacific waters always at hand. It’s the north-easterly trade winds that help create warmth and charm for the weather. Place and altitude across the islands do influence the weather.
The average temperature is around 75°F, or 23.9°C, making the climate very pleasant and temperate for residents and visitors. Such summer months as from May to October bring minimal changes compared with the winter ones—from November to April. That fact contributes to the general reliability of the Hawaiian climate for those wishing to dive into the magic of a tropical retreat.
The historical record of temperatures in the region shows extremes at both ends of the spectrum. As an example, while the lowest temperature ever recorded was a nippy 12°F near the summit of Mauna Kea in 1979, a scorching high of 100°F was recorded in Pahala on the Big Island way back in the year 1931. These variations give an idea of the different climates one can experience within the beautiful Hawaiian Islands.
Rainfall
The Hawaiian Islands, situated in the mid-Pacific, range across the broadest spectrum of rainfall patterns, broadly caused by an array of geographic features. Topographic details include towering mountains and plunging valleys, which generate differing rainfall on the windward (eastern) versus leeward (western) sides of the islands. In return, the windward sides, facing the prevalent moisture-laden trade winds from the northeast, have much higher rainfall and thus sustenance for lush rainforests and green landscapes. On the other hand, the leeward sides are relatively sheltered from the mountainous terrain and receive substantially drier conditions, hence more arid terrain and less vegetation. These rainfall patterns add up to form unique microclimates and varied ecosystems for the islands.
One of the most striking examples of these differing conditions comes in the form of Puako on the Big Island, boasting the title of the driest place, with only an average 5.7 inches or 145 mm of rainfall per year, while Mt. Waiʻaleʻale on Kauaʻi is thought to be among the wettest spots on Earth with its yearly average of 486 inches or 12,344 mm of rainfall.
November through April are months of constant, intermittent mild rain and wind storms characteristic of the geographic region. They usually last about a day and break up. Intense storms such as hurricanes or typhoons are rare and have been known to happen on average once every eight to ten years. Officially the State of Hawaii is in hurricane season from June through September. Notably, the last major hurricane to make landfall in the islands was Hurricane Iniki in September 1992. It caused severe damage to the island of Kauaʻi.
Temperature
The consumed Πολιτεία substituent, totaling 137 islands, is Hawaii. It has ocean waters staying warm and inviting all year-round, with a mean temperature of about 74°F, reaching up to 80°F during the summer season 26°C. The surf conditions around the islands are highly influenced by big and occasional storms moving through the Pacific. These big storms at times move through the Pacific near Hawaii and significantly alter the characteristics of beaches from one year to the next.
Mountain Conditions
The mountainous regions of Hawaii will be slightly cold compared to the coastal areas. With every 1,000 feet of altitude increase over sea level, there is a temperature drop of approximately 3.5°F. In other words, when it may be a warm 80°F on one of Hawaii’s beaches, Haleakala summit might be quite cold at around 50°F.
Between November and April, weather conditions exist in which moderate to heavy snowfalls occur on the highest mountainous areas of Mauna Kea and Haleakala. While there are no developed ski resorts on the Big Island, Hawai’i residents have, from time to time, driven to the top of Mauna Kea to ski and sled in the snow. Temperatures at the summit during winter months often drop far below freezing, although the actual temperature that one may feel, when wind chill is factored in, would be much colder. Temperatures on the summit are commonly in the 25°F to 40°F (-4°C to 4°C) range during this period.
Following are the typical median weather conditions for Honolulu and Hilo, including temperature, rainfall, and relative humidity.
In Honolulu, the temperature in January ranges from 65°F to 79°F, whereas it ranges from 63°F to 80°F in Hilo.
The temperature in Honolulu in July ranges from 73°F to 87°F, averaging at 77°F. Temperature in Hilo during July averages at around 73°F.
Honolulu gets 23 inches of rain, on average, per year. Hilo gets 134 inches per year.
Honolulu
The storm season in Hawaii is from June to September; during this time, the Islands are usually affected by an average of four to five tropical cyclones emerging from the Eastern Pacific. Even though the Islands themselves are largely spared from a direct hit—only three storms making landfall in the past fifty years—their influence still remains. The last major hurricane to affect Hawaii was Hurricane Iniki in 1992, which did serious damage to the island of Kaua’i. The rest of hurricane season is mopping up the remnants of storms that were at one time powerful, but now barely a tropical storm.
Weather
Looking for current weather conditions for each island of Hawaii? Find the current forecast for each island at the following links:
While preparing a visit to Hawaii, probably the most important thing one has to give thought to is the best time for visiting. The best months normally considered are April, May, September, and October since the weather is bright and warm. However, while making your travel plans, keep in mind that Hawaii is simply great any time of the year and will adrenalize you each day with an amazing amount of adventure and beauty in any season.
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