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You can visit any time, because Hawaii climate is very consistent, with only minor changes in temperature during the year. This climate feature varies only about 6 degrees throughout the year. The temperature during August, the warmest month is 78 degrees, and during February, the coldest month is 72 degrees.
Although humidity is moderate to high, the constant sea breeze keeps things comfortable year-round. An aloha shirt or T-shirt and flip-flops are ideal for the day. You may want to consider only a light jacket for the night when temperatures can drop about 10 degrees.
The shielding effect of the mountains and the differences in weather at various elevations create a diversity of climate zones. The distinctive micro-climates are specific for the interior valleys, mountain peaks and beaches in Hawaii.
Positioned at the edge of the tropical zone and due to year-round warm sea surface temperatures, which keep the overlying atmosphere warm, Hawaii has only two seasons, both of them warm and one with slightly more rainfall.
The climate of Hawaii provides plenty of sun, some rain, some showers, and the mostly ever present trade winds. The winds are fairly persistent and blow from a NE to ENE direction. They are essentially sea breezes which during the summer blow about 90% of the time, but during the winter they are present only about half of the time.
Hawaii Climate During 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 windward 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.
Hawaii Climate During Winter
From December to March it is just a little bit cooler, with temperatures between 68°-80° F.
Winter is considered the rainy season. The heaviest precipitation comes between October and April (the hoo'ilo season).
Though storms may be common, they usually pass through the islands quickly and without incident. There are more cloudy days to spoil your sunbathing, but it seldom rains more than 3 days in a row in one spot.
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 the high mountains 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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