Since the Hawaii climate is pretty consistent throughout the year with only minor temperature changes, you can travel there any time of the year. While the humidity is pretty high, the constant tropical breezes keep the conditions pretty comfortable throughout the year. During the day you will be comfortable in a T-shirt or an Aloha shirt and a pair of sandals. Once the sun sets you will probably want to wear a light jacket since the temperatures can fall around ten degrees.
The surrounding mountains provide a shielding effect and the different elevations have an effect of the weather which creates diverse climate zone. There are distinctive micro-climates in specific mountain peaks, beaches and interior valleys. Hawaii has only two different seasons since the islands are located on the outskirts of a tropical zone and warm sea surface temperatures throughout the year. Since the overlying atmosphere is warm, both of the seasons are warm, with one having slightly more rain than the other.
The Hawaii Climate of Summer
Between April and November it is warmer and drier with the average temperature between 75-88. During summer (the kau season), the trade winds blow from the north east bringing most of the rainfall to the leeward side of the islands, offering pleasant relief from the hotter and drier weather.
Where you are on the islands will depend how warm it is on any given day. For example, on the side sheltered from the wind i.e., the west and southern sides, temperatures are usually hot and dry. The east and north windward sides, which get the wind’s full force, are generally cooler and moister. So, if you want wet, humid, tropical jungle-type weather, go windward. For a more arid, sunbaked climate and go leeward.
The Hawaii Climate of Winter
During the months of December through March the temperatures are normally a little cooler. The average temperature is usually between 68-80 F. In Hawaii the winter months are considered the rainy season, with the heaviest down pours between October and April. During these months storms are common, but they usually pass through rather quickly with little incident. There will likely be more days that are cloudy which may interfere with you sunbathing, but it rarely rains for more than three consecutive days.
Winter is surf season, so if you’re a surf rider, come to the North Shore in Oahu to catch the perfect wave. Also, whale watching season is at the end of the winter, during January to March, so make sure you are here if you want to see these magnificent creatures!
Hawaii Climate is Greatly Influenced by the Mountains
For example, Mt. Waialele in Kauai is the wettest spot on earth with 420 inches (38 feet!) of rain every year while, just a few miles away, Waimea Canyon is dry and nicknamed the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”. On Big Island Hawaii, Hilo is one of the wettest cities in the country, with 180 inches of rain a year. But Puako, only 60 miles away, gets less than 6 inches of rainfall. If you decide to explore the natural beauty found at higher elevations such as Mauna Kea, wear long pants and several layers of cool weather clothing. The temperature in the higher locations drops 3.5 degrees for every 1,000 feet above sea level.
Want to watch the sunrise from the summit at Mt. Haleakala? Great idea, but make sure you’re cozily bundled with gloves and a scarf as the temperature can be as low as 30 F! Also, keep in mind that at such high elevations, there is less protection from the sun. Be sure to use sun block liberally, and bring a hat and sunglasses. When you are up the mountains, the climate can change from summer to winter in a matter of hours. This special Hawaii climate makes it possible for you to ski on Mauna Kea in winter and sunworship on the Kona Coast, on the best beaches in Hawaii all on the same day.
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