Microclimates And Many Of Them: Hawaii’s Diversity

With a diverse, breathtaking, climate, Hawaii has nearly perfect weather year round. Most of the year, the coasts have relaxing daily temperatures between the mid-70s and mid-80s. Hawaii is the only state in the U.S. that has never recorded a sub-zero temperature.

Because Hawaii has only two seasons—Summer (May through October) and Winter (November through April), you will experience more heat and humidity variation from elevations and windward-leeward coasts, than you will due to the seasons. If you’re curious what the weather is like right now, check out the Forecast of Today’s Weather in Hawaii.

Hawaii’s Geography

Located between 19 and 23 degrees north latitude, the occupied Hawaiian Islands lie only 1,200 to 1,600 miles north of the equator. As Hawaii is so close to the equator, the sun is high in the sky year round, which heats the Hawaiian Islands and the ocean around them..

The warm ocean temperatures help to keep Hawaii’s atmosphere at ease. There are other contributors to Hawaii’s delightful, tropical climate, besides the ocean and its proximity to the equator: trade winds and numerous volcanic mountains.

Hawaiian Volcanoes

The mountains of Hawaii, formed millions of years ago through volcanic eruptions from the ocean floor, affect Hawaii’s climate and account for the variations in weather, both from island to island and on the same Island.

When wet, warm air meets mountain slopes along windward coasts, the air is forced to rise, expand and cool (orographic lift). This forms thick clouds and causes precipitation along the windy slopes. When this air reaches the leeward slopes, it descends, condenses, and warms, making leeward coasts generally sunnier, warmer and drier.

Hawaii Trade Winds

In Hawaii, the northeast trade winds, averaging 12 mph, occur about 90% of the time in the summer and about 50% of the time in the winter. They keep humidity at a low level and ensure comfortable temperatures, especially on the windward side.

Trade winds are created from the cooling of air that has moved north from the equator, where it originally was warmed and rose up. Becoming heavier as it loses heat, it plunges back to the earth’s surface at about 30 degrees latitude, where it flows toward the equator to replace more rising, warm air. This creates cool northeasterly breezes moving along the ocean’s surface, and over the Hawaiian Islands.

Oahu Weather and Climate

Similar to the other Hawaiian Islands, Oahu’s tropical climate is affected more by the ranges of elevation and geographic location than it is by the seasons. Its wet trade winds are blocked by Oahu’s 2 parallel mountain ranges – Ko‘olau (reaching 3,105 feet), and Wai‘anae (reaching 4,020 feet).

As a result the southern and western (leeward) sides of Oahu – Honolulu, Waikiki, and Ko Olina – are drier and warmer than the windward parts – Kailua and Aeia – and the North Shore near the surf town of Haleiwa.

Very rough sea conditions are often brought by Winter to Oahu’s world-renowned surfing beaches along the north shore. This kind of surf is great for big-wave competitions, but risky for the inexperienced. Check out the current Today’s Weather on Oahu.

Climate and Weather of Maui

On Maui, with its two volcanic mountains, and separated by the central valley, you’ll encounter everything from barren lunar-like desert atop 10,320-foot Mt. Haleakala, to lush tropical flora and wild ginger east toward the Hana coast, to bamboo forests, eucalyptus and pines moving upcountry. In 1982, Pu‘u Kukui, the summit of the West Maui Mountains, had 739 inches of rainfall, which is the U.S. rainfall record. Have a look at the variations in the island’s climate ccoming up: Maui Weather Forecast 5day.

Delightful trade winds and beach access make Maui’s north shore near Paia and Haiku a world-class windsurfing and kite boarding destination. Many great resort areas, such as Makena, Wailea, Kihei, Lahaina, Kaanapali and Kapalua, experience the island’s year-round sunshine, dry weather and fantastic beaches as they are along the south and west shore.

Climate and Weather of Big Island

On the Big Island, there are five shield volcanoes, contributing to the most diverse climate in Hawaii. The Big Island also contains ten of ten of the world’s fifteen climate zones. Hilo, on the windward side, is the wettest city in the U.S., averaging more than 130 inches of rain per year.

Kailua, Kona, and Kohala on the leeward coast, contain the resort areas because they are usually sunny and warm, averaging as little as five inches of rainfall annually. Snow, not usually associated with the tropics, falls at Mauna Kea (Hawaii’s highest point at 13,796 feet) and Mauna Loa (location of the U.S.’s only active volcano), Kilauea, in some winter months.

Climate and Weather of Kauai

The small, circular island of Kauai is formed by 1 eroded volcano, whose highest peak reaches 5,243 feet at Mount Wai‘ale‘ale near its center. This peak is thought of as the wettest, or second wettest place on the planet, with more than 460 inches of rain per year. Just 20 miles southwest of the extremely wet mountain is the Kekaha coastal area, which averages less than 20 inches of rain per year.

The spectacular Na Pali Coast, Princeville, and idyllic Hanalei, with their lush, tropical environs on the north shore provide unparalleled opportunities for nature adventure. Poipu and Koloa on the drier, warmer south shore are the primary resort areas of Kauai.