Hawaii's climate varies depending on where you are in the islands.
Hawaii offers temperate weather year-round, with temperatures generally in the 70 to 80 degree range (Fahrenheit) during the day, low to moderate humidity, pleasant trade winds and lots of sunshine. The island chain does have some variation in the height of the surf and temperatures, depending on what island you are visiting and where you are on each island. Generally, Hawaii's tropical climate is warm and dry in the summer, but wet in the winter.
Summer
One of only two real seasons that Hawaii has, summer extends from May to September, and daytime temperatures are in the 80s in most parts of the state. Hawaii experiences little rainfall in the summer, and June and July are the driest months of the year. In Honolulu, the average rainfall for these two months is less than half an inch. Through the summer, the trade winds blow from the northeast. The waters are generally calm in the summer, and it is the high travel season.
Winter
Moderate rainfall and high surf define Hawaii's winter, which runs from October to April. Temperatures during this time of year are generally in the mid-to-high 70s, making it a perfectly pleasant time to visit the islands. The cooling trade winds blow from the northwest during the winter and often bring rain. Honolulu's wettest months are December and January, when an average of 3.5 inches of rain falls. The surf is up in the winter, particularly on the north shore of most islands, and it is this time of year that the famous Banzai Pipeline surfing spot on the north shore of Oahu is at its peak.
Mountains
While the low-lying areas in Hawaii have pleasant weather all year, if you'll be heading to the mountains to explore Maui's Hakeakala or Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island of Hawaii, be aware that it can get chilly. Mountain temperatures can drop into the 50-degree range in the summer and even further in the winter, when you may see snow at the top of some of Hawaii's highest peaks.
Location
While Kauai is known as the wettest island in the chain and Hilo on Hawaii is the wettest city in the United States (it can get up to 200 inches of rain a year), it is important to know what part of an island you will be visiting. The leeward side, or west-facing side, of every island is warmer and drier than the cooler, wetter windward (or east) side. The difference may be subtle, but if you will traveling around one of the Hawaiian islands, be sure to bring an umbrella or raincoat for any windward destinations.
Winds and Storms
Hawaii's trade winds blow at about 12 miles per hour. The winds are consistent in the summer and more unpredictable in the winter months when they are interrupted by cyclones or the formation of Kona storms. Though infrequent, the Kona winds can be strong and cause major damage (falling branches, roofs blown off) at ground level. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, winters in Hawaii bring more "frequent" clouds and rainstorms in addition to some southerly and westerly winds.
Water
The Pacific Ocean water around Hawaii may be as cool as 73 degrees in the winter and can get up to 80 degrees in the summer. The water is calm during the summer months, with swells increasing as the winds pick up in the winter. There are, however, many protected coves that have calm waters all year.
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