Hurricanes are relatively rare in Hawaii (the last major hurricane to hit the Islands was hurricane Iniki in 1992). Temperatures at sea level generally range from highs of 84–88 °F (29–31 °C) during the summer months to 79–83 °F (26–28 °C) during the winter months. Remodeled Hawaiian Charm: FREE Maid Service & Concierge Services. The hurricane season in the Hawaiian Islands is roughly from June through November, when hurricanes and tropical storms are most probable in the North Pacific. About one-third of the more than 1,000 animal species that the U.S. government has declared threatened or endangered are located in Hawaii. If you're talking to people on the U.S. West Coast during daylight savings time (in the summer), they will be 3 hours ahead and when daylight savings time is not in effect (in the winter), 2 hours ahead. Typically, the trade winds continue across the Pacific — unless something gets in their way, like an island. In fact, Hawaii experiences only minor variations in incoming solar radiation throughout the year. Discover the Average Climate in Hawaii. The surface waters of the open ocean around Hawaii range from 75 °F (24 °C) between late February and early April, to a maximum of 82 °F (28 °C) in late September or early October. More than 1,000,000 acres (400,00 hectares) of land in the state have been set aside in an attempt to protect native ecosystems. Visitors from typically dry areas, such as Colorado, may notice a replenished quality in their skin, or that their hair may take longer to dry after a shower or ocean swim. Make sure you are prepared for cooler temperatures if you're going to be doing some mountain or volcano climbing. [1] The islands receive most rainfall from the trade winds on their north and east flanks (the windward side) as a result of orographic precipitation. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'to_hawaii_com-banner-1','ezslot_4',132,'0','0'])); Hawaii is one of the greenest places on Earth thanks to the life-giving rains. Clouds tend to hang above the mountains, drop rain and move on. On days without an inversion, the sky is almost cloudless (completely cloudless skies are extremely rare). It's not uncommon to see two or more rainbows together. The American state of Hawaii, which covers the Hawaiian Islands, is tropical but it experiences many different climates, depending on altitude and surrounding. Hawaii - Hawaii - Climate: Hawaii lies just below the Tropic of Cancer, and its mild tropical climate is considered by many people to be the world’s ideal. Visitors to Hawaii are amazed at how warm the ocean water feels. The inversion is present 50 to 70 percent of the time; its height fluctuates from day to day, but it is usually between 5,000 and 7,000 feet (1,500 and 2,100 m). As moisture-laden air is carried over the islands, most frequently by the trade winds, it is apt to condense, form cap clouds, and dissipate against the shores and mountains of the windward coasts, which are therefore more lush in foliage than the leeward coasts. Pleasant Climate Year-Round With its warm and gentle trade winds, mild temperatures and sunny skies, Hawaii is an ideal vacation destination throughout the year. Hawaii's lowest recorded temperature is 12°F (−11°C), observed on the summit of Mauna Kea (Big Island) in May 1979. Hawaii differs from many tropical locations with pronounced wet and dry seasons, in that the wet season coincides with the winter months (rather than the summer months more typical of other places in the tropics). Rainstorms and waterfalls of Hawaii, U.S., including time-lapse sequences of cloud movements. Local conditions that produce occasional violent winds are not well understood. Much more common than hurricanes are smaller tropical storms that bring heavy swells and rains. Such storms bring heavy rains and can be accompanied by strong local winds. Every year or two a tropical storm will affect the weather in some part of the islands. The Lahaina winds are also downslope winds, but are somewhat different. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Aerodynamic theory indicates that an island wind wake effect should dissipate within a few hundred kilometers and not be felt in the western Pacific. Coastal areas are drier, especially the south and west side or leeward sides.[2]. Rarely does the temperature rise above 90 °F (32 °C) or drop below 60 °F (16 °C) at lower elevations. Hawai‘i's high mountains present a substantial obstacle to the trade winds. Flash floods frequently occur during and after heavy rainfall and are more common in the wet season. March is penultimate month of rainy season with average amount of precipitation about 1.9” (50 mm). Thanks to the help of active sea breezes, the cloud cover in Hawaii does not usually stay put for very long. Some species of birds have become extremely rare, but, as the result of an increased environmental awareness, steps have been taken to preclude their extinction. Also includes average precipitation, degree days, hours of sun, and more. In leeward areas well screened from the trade winds (such as the west coast of Maui), skies are clear 30 to 60 percent of the time. It often times clears up quickly, especially on the leeward coasts of the islands. Despite being small islands within the vast Pacific Ocean, the Hawaiian Islands have a surprising effect on ocean currents and circulation patterns over much of the Pacific. The rainy season, winter (ho‘oilo), lasts from November to April, with cooler temperatures and frequent rainstorms. On Maui, the summit of Haleakalā occasionally experiences snowfall, but snow had never been observed below 7,500 feet (2,300 m) before February 2019, when snow was observed at 6,200 feet (1,900 m) and fell at higher elevations in amounts large enough to force Haleakalā National Park to close for several days. The top image above shows the winds around the Hawaiian Islands measured by the Seawinds instrument aboard. The reason is because the ocean acts as a climate regulator and there is a seasonal lag in the ocean's temperature that affects the air temperature as well. Hawaii also has its rainy and dry seasons on each island, with local climates varying on mountain ranges and elevations. Most Hawaiians recognize only two seasons: summer and winter. For example, on the Big Island of Hawaii, it is possible to hit the beach and go for a swim and then drive … Mount Waialeale, on the island of Kauai, is often called the wettest spot on Earth, with an annual average rainfall of about 450 inches (11,430 mm). Now that's a comfortable swim! The record low temperature in Honolulu is 52 °F (11 °C) on January 20, 1969. In Hawaii, the climate is tropical, with a hot season from June to October (called kau in the Hawaiian language) and a relatively cool season (hooilo) from December to March.The trade winds, constant winds blowing from the north-east, strongly influence the climate of these islands, creating microclimates, wet or dry, depending on slope exposure. For example, on the Big Island of Hawaii, it is possible to hit the beach and go for a swim and then drive up to the top of Mauna Kea and walk in snow in the same day. Three strong and destructive hurricanes are known to have made landfall on the islands, an unnamed storm in 1871,[9] Hurricane Dot in 1959, and Hurricane Iniki in 1992. The rains may continue steadily, but the longer lasting ones are characteristically interrupted by intervals of lighter rain or partial clearing, as well as by intense showers superimposed on the more moderate continuous, steady rain. Air temperature of this season is slowly grows from 73 °F (23 °C) at March to 75 °F (25 °C) at May. Rising Sea Level Rising Temperatures Less & Heavy Rain WANT TO DO A DEEP DIVE INTO: Our Sea Level Rise Report? When counting also the Köppen sub-categories the island of Hawaii hosts 10 (out of 14 in total) climate zones. As storms cross the Pacific, they tend to lose strength if they bear northward and encounter cooler water. The Islands receive at least two-thirds as much solar radiation between sunrise and sunset on a clear winter day as on a clear day in summer. Hana has had as much as 28 in (710 mm) of rain in a single 24-hour period. And if you happen to get caught in a sudden downpour or light rain, look for a shelter and wait a few minutes. For the U.S. East Coast, the difference is 6 hours and 5 hours respectively. Generally speaking, the state of Hawaii is tropical, but the temperature and climate can vary dramatically depending on where you are located on a particular island. The North Shore of Oahu is home to the sport's most popular pro contest, the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, held annually in November and December. Every day, it rains somewhere on the Islands and it is common to see light rainfall while the sun is shining brightly. Our latest podcast episode features popular TED speaker Mara Mintzer. Generally speaking, the surf is highest in the winter months on the north shores of all islands and in the summer months on the south shores. !function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src='https://weatherwidget.io/js/widget.min.js';fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,'script','weatherwidget-io-js'); With its warm and gentle trade winds, mild temperatures and sunny skies, Hawaii is an ideal vacation destination throughout the year. The average yearly rainfall in Honolulu is 23 inches (590 mm), and in Hilo, one of the state’s wettest cities, it is about 130 inches (3,300 mm). The outstanding features of Hawaii's climate include mild temperatures throughout the year, moderate humidity, persistence of northeasterly trade winds, significant differences in … If you accidentally end up with a sunburn, the local aloe plant cut open and applied directly is a soothing remedy. They are extremely violent, with wind speeds of 80–100 mph (130–160 km/h) or more. Polynesians and Europeans introduced mongooses, rats, frogs, toads, and, in the more remote regions of some of the islands, deer, sheep, pigs, and goats. First, the ocean reacts slowly to fast-changing winds; winds must be steady to exert force on the ocean, such as the trade winds. Generally the rule of temperature decrease is about 3.5°F for every 1,000-foot increase (300 m) in elevation. City and County of Honolulu Climate Change Commission.