General Weather Patterns

The best thing about Hawaii's weather is that it is very localized. You may be driving along the island and be in a rainstorm one minute and in bright sun the next. This variety of weather allows you to fully experience Hawaii and its sun-drenched beaches, misty rainbow-filled valleys, pristine waterfalls, cool highlands, and lush mountains.

Here are a few additional things to keep in mind, summarized, about Hawaii's weather:

• Check our live Hawaii weather forecast before you visit and during your stay; it summarizes current conditions and 7-day island forecasts in plain language.
• Take the National Weather Service forecast and warnings seriously. Local showers do not always mean a day of rain, but there is no ten-minute limit. Check the forecast for your destination before a hike or long drive, and change plans when warnings or closures affect your route.
• As far as temperature goes, plan accordingly for the island you're visiting. At sea level, daytime temperatures are usually in the upper 70s to mid-80s°F year-round. Nights are cooler, but the difference changes dramatically depending on your altitude. Volcano, on the Big Island, or Kokee on Kauai, can get quite chilly at night for example. If you're planning to go up to higher elevations on either Maui or the Big Island, bring a small coat and long convertible pants. It can get very cold at the summit of the larger volcanoes - trust us on that!

Hawaii's usual trade winds blow from the northeast. They are generally more persistent in summer; winter fronts and Kona storms can interrupt them. As moist air rises over windward slopes, it cools and produces clouds and rain. Southerly Kona winds can bring a different weather pattern. The National Weather Service climate summary explains these seasonal and terrain effects.

Hawaii does have a seasonal rainfall pattern: winter is generally wetter and summer drier. The contrast is strongest in many leeward areas, which receive much of their rain from winter storms. Wet windward areas also receive trade-wind showers, so their seasonal contrast is smaller. These are long-term climate patterns, not a guarantee about your travel dates.

Use climate averages to choose a base and pack. Use the current forecast and Travel Alerts to decide what to do today. A flexible itinerary helps; dismissing a warning does not.

Hawaii Climate Patterns

Long-Term Weather Trends

The National Weather Service describes summer as generally drier and winter as the season of more frequent rainstorms. Windward slopes and leeward lowlands can have very different rainfall even on the same island.

Do not choose a beach or trail solely because it is on a southern coast. Terrain, wind direction, and the day's weather matter. Pack rain protection for outdoor plans and check the forecast for the actual location, including its elevation.

Hawaii Year-Round Temperatures

The National Weather Service climate summary describes mild temperatures throughout the year and cooler conditions at higher elevations. The monthly airport normals table provides temperature and precipitation averages for the five listed stations, not a forecast for your dates.

Temperatures generally fall with elevation. The National Weather Service climate summary gives about 3°F per 1,000 feet as a broad guide, not a forecast for a summit. Check conditions for Haleakalā or Mauna Kea separately from the beach forecast, and pack warm layers.

High summits can have snow, ice, and dangerous weather. Follow current access restrictions and summit forecasts rather than assuming a season is safe or unsafe. Cooler upland locations may also call for a jacket, especially around dawn or after sunset.

Ocean temperatures near Hawaii are usually in the mid-70s°F in late winter and near 80°F in early fall, according to the NWS climate summary. Water temperature does not tell you whether swimming is safe. Check surf, currents, water-quality advisories, and lifeguard guidance.

El Niño and La Niña effects on Hawaii

These two weather systems/events have an impact on the islands. During El Niño winters, the islands are typically drier. Whereas in La Niña years, rainfall in Hawaii has tended to be near to above normal during the winter months. The rainy season has also lasted longer into the spring during La Niña years. Hawaii may receive above-normal rainfall not only during the normally wet period of January through March but during a strong La Niña period, the excess wetness may continue through May in many locations.

NOAA's September 10, 2026 outlook says El Niño is strengthening, with a greater than 90% chance of a very strong event during fall and winter 2026–27. Seasonal tendencies do not predict the weather for a particular island or travel date, and a drier outlook does not rule out a damaging rain event. Read our 2026 El Niño Hawaii weather outlook and El Niño winter guide for planning context; use current NWS forecasts for your trip.