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Kahului
75ºF / 24ºC
partly cloudy
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MAUI
WEATHER
Temperature and Climate Zones
Weather on all of the Hawaiian
Islands is very consistent, with only minor changes in temperature throughout
the year. This is due to year-round warm sea surface temperatures, which keep
the overlying atmosphere warm as well. In practical terms, there are only 2
seasons: the summer months (called Kau in Hawaiian) that extend from May to
October and the winter months (Hooilo) that run from November to April. The
average daytime summer temperature at sea level is 85 degrees F. (29.4 C) while
the average daytime winter temperature is 78 degrees (25.6 C). Temperatures at
night are approximately 10 degrees F. lower.
The islands are an
incredible collection of many 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 found at various elevations,
there are as many different climate zones here as exist along the entire coast
stretching from Alaska to Costa Rica. For the full impact of this, visitors need
only explore the islands by car or helicopter and they’ll see the beauty of
tropical rain forests, cool alpine regions, stony deserts and sunny beaches -
all within the span of just a few short miles.
Rainfall and
Storms
Through most of the year, Hawaiian weather patterns are affected
primarily by high-pressure zones in the north Pacific that pump cool, moist
trade winds down onto the island's northeastern slopes. This holds true for most
of the summer and approximately half of the time in the winter. These winds are
forced up-slope 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 the rich tropical environment for Hawaii’s flowers and verdant
greens. The wettest months are from November - 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 action of trade winds here means that
there is always a cooling breeze. The strength of this wind builds as the heat
of the day rises and reaches a peak in the afternoon, only to diminish in the
evening and start again the next day. 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. Stormy weather comes to the
islands, primarily in the winter and sometimes lingers for several days. Severe
storms, however, are not a common occurrence.
Water and Surf
Conditions
Hawaii's near-shore water temperatures remain comfortable
throughout the year. The average water temperature is 74 degrees F. (23.3 C),
with a summer high of 80 degrees F. (26.7 C). Wave action varies dramatically
between winter and summer, and between island coasts. Summer waters are
typically very gentle on all beaches. This changes in the winter on many
north-facing beaches, as storms far out into the Pacific drive ocean swells
towards the islands, building large breaking waves.
As with island
rains, wave conditions are often very localized, so if there is too much surf 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, but this is
particularly true in the winter. When in doubt, simply ask "locals", your hotel
staff or a lifeguard for recommendations and also look for warning flags and
posted beach conditions.
Hawaii's Mountains and Volcanos
Many
visitors are drawn to the natural beauty found in higher elevations such as
Kokee on Kauai, or Haleakala on Maui, or Kilauea on the Big Island. To prepare
for the trip, bring long pants and several layers of cool weather clothing
because the temperature in the higher locations drops 3.5 degrees for every
1,000 feet above sea level that you climb. For example, the summit of Haleakala
at an elevation of 10,023 feet can be as much as 30 degrees F. cooler than
resort areas on the coast.
Because these peaks rise through the earth's
atmosphere, there is less protection from the sun's powerful burning rays. This
burning effect can be easily masked by the cool temperatures on the mountain, so
be sure to use sun block liberally, and bring a hat and sunglasses.
Maui Weather, Hawaii
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