Rainfall and Storms

Through most of the year, Hawaiian weather patterns are affected primarily by high-pressure zones in the north Pacific that pump cool, moist trade winds down onto the island's northeastern slopes. This holds true for most of the summer and approximately half of the time in the winter. These winds are forced up-slope by the mountain heights where their moisture condenses into clouds that produce rain. Most of the rain falls in the mountains and valleys on the windward (northeastern) side of the islands. It is this weather phenomenon that creates the rich tropical environment for Hawaii’s flowers and verdant greens. The wettest months are from November - March, but winter rains do not generally disrupt vacation plans, since the weather is very localized. This means that if it is raining where you are, there is almost always a sunny spot to be found around the coast.

Water and Surf Conditions

Hawaii's near-shore water temperatures remain comfortable throughout the year. The average water temperature is 74 degrees F. (23.3 C), with a summer high of 80 degrees F. (26.7 C). Wave action varies dramatically between winter and summer, and between island coasts. Summer waters are typically very gentle on all beaches. This changes in the winter on many north-facing beaches, as storms far out into the Pacific drive ocean swells towards the islands, building large breaking waves.

As with island rains, wave conditions are often very localized, so if there is too much surf on your beach, you can usually find calmer water at a more sheltered beach. Strong currents can make any beach unsafe at any time during the year, but this is particularly true in the winter. When in doubt, simply ask your hotel staff or a lifeguard for recommendations and also look for warning flags and posted beach conditions.

Hawaii's Mountains and Volcanoes

Many visitors are drawn to the natural beauty found in higher elevations such as Kokee on Kauai, or Haleakala on Maui, or Kilauea on the Big Island. To prepare for the trip, bring long pants and several layers of cool weather clothing because the temperature in the higher locations drops 3.5 degrees for every 1,000 feet above sea level that you climb. For example, the summit of Haleakala at an elevation of 10,023 feet can be as much as 30 degrees F. cooler than resort areas on the coast.

Because these peaks rise through the earth's atmosphere, there is less protection from the sun's powerful burning rays. This burning effect can be easily masked by the cool temperatures on the mountain, so be sure to use sun block liberally, and bring a hat and sunglasses.

Average Weather on Maui Island

Jan    Feb    Mar    Apr    May    June    July    Aug    Sept    Oct    Nov    Dec

January - One of the coolest months, cold fronts from the Northwest bring showery weather, with this month the wettest of the year. Clear and warm days prevail between these showery periods. Tradewinds blow only 42% of the time, compared with July's 95%. One of the months to see snow on top of our 10.023 foot Haleakala...which sometimes occurs. Large surf impacts the North and West shores. Sea water temperature averages about 75 degrees F.
January averages for different locations on Maui
Lahaina 82-64 F. (27.8C-17.8C) 3.49" precipitation
Hana 79-64 F. (26.1C-17.8C) 9.45" precipitation

Kahului 80-64 F. (26.7C-17.8C) 4.14" precipitation
Kahului % of possible daytime sunshine: 69%

February - One of the coolest months, with showery weather episodes.....mixed with warm, and sunny days. Light winds generally, but some of the strongest winds of the year reported in the winter month of February. Medium to large surf on North and West shores. Snow falls on Haleakala some years. Tradewinds blow on the average 55% of the time. Sea water temperature averages about 74 degrees F.
February averages for different locations on Maui
Lahaina 80-63 F. (26.7C-17.2C) 2.35" of precipitation
Hana 79-64 F. (26.1C-17.8C) 6.83" of precipitation

Kahului 80-63 F. (26.7C-17.2C) 2.87" of precipitation
Kahului % of possible daytime sunshine: 73%

March - Spring brings increasingly strong Northeast tradewinds, and more showers on the windward sides from Haiku to Hana, and on the upper West side from Napili to Kaanapali. Kihei and Lahaina are generally warm and sunny. Winter storms lose their influence on Maui later in the month. Tradewinds blow on the average 61% of the time. Surf still up frequently on the North and West shores. Sea water temperature averages about 74 degrees F.
March averages for different locations on Maui
Lahaina 83-64 F. (28.3C-17.8C) 1.79" of precipitation
Hana 79-65 F. (26.1C-18.3C) 9.54" of precipitation

Kahului 81-65 F. (27.2C-18.3C) 2.72" of precipitation
Kahului % of possible daytime sunshine: 72%

April - Spring weather pattern has become well established, very few winter type storms ever occur this month. Tradewinds are usually quite strong on the windward sides, and frequently carry moisture in the form of cloudiness and showers with them. Lots of sunshine in the leeward areas. Mild weather prevails from the second half of this month through October. Tradewinds blow on the average 74% of the time. Sea water temperature averages about 75 degrees F.
April averages for different locations on Maui
Lahaina 84-65 F. (28.9C-18.3C) 1.05" of precipitation
Hana 80-67 F. (26.7C-19.4C) 8.95" of precipitation

Kahului 82-66 F. (27.8C-18.9C) 1.84" of precipitation
Kahului % of possible daytime sunshine: 56%

May - Summer starts early on Maui, and May is getting quite warm. The tradewinds are blowing most of the time on the windward sides, but carry less clouds and showers then in April. Winter storms are completely absent....leeward sides are summer-like. Tradewinds blow on the average 86% of the time. Sea water temperature averages about 76 degrees F. (25.6C)
May averages for different locations on Maui
Lahaina 85-67 F. (28.9C-18.3C) 1.05" of precipitation
Hana 80-68 F. (26.7C-19.4C) 8.95" of precipitation

Kahului 84-67 F. (27.8C-18.9C) .62" of precipitation
Kahului % of possible daytime sunshine: 58%

June - Summer is here, with warm and sunny days. June is the driest month of the year. Tradewinds blow almost everyday. The hurricane season begins this month, but rarely will a tropical system come close to Maui in June. Tradewinds blow on the average 91% of the time. Sea water temperature averages about 77 degrees F.
June averages for different locations on Maui
Lahaina 87-68 F. (30.6C-20.0C) .09" of precipitation
Hana 83-69 F. (28.3C-20.6C) 3.85" of precipitation

Kahului 86-69 F. (30.0C-20.6C) .27" of precipitation
Kahului % of possible daytime sunshine: 79%

July - Summer fully engaged weatherwise, with warm to very warm temperatures. Fortunately the tradewinds temper the summer-time heat. These cooling and refreshing winds keep Maui feeling comfortable during the long warm summer months. Very infrequently a tropical storm may move close to the area giving sticky weather and showers. Summer is when Maui sees small -medium size waves rolling onto the South facing shores from Lahaina to Wailea. These waves are generated in the Southern Hemisphere down near New Zealand...where winter storms "down under" send waves 1000's of miles....to arrive here as South swell. Tradewinds are blowing on the average 95% of the time. Sea water temperature averages about 78 degrees F.
July averages for different locations on Maui
Lahaina 88-69 F. (31.1C-20.6C) .17" of precipitation
Hana 88-70 F. (28.3C-21.1C) 5.60" of precipitation

Kahului 87-71 F. (30.6C-21.7C) .38" of precipitation
Kahului % of possible daytime sunshine: 69%

August - Warm, sunny to partly cloudy days are the rule for August. Tradewinds are still fanning the island with great regularity. Occasionally a tropical storm or Hurricane will get close enough to Maui to cause our winds to stop and the humidity to rise to uncomfortable levels, though it is unusual. Small-medium size waves continue to be at times a problem...in that, the South shores, where these waves impact, are the same beaches that the visitors (who often are not used to waves of any size) are at play and sunbathing. Persons should be careful during these periodic high surf events. Tradewinds are blowing on the average 94% of the time. Sea water temperature averages about 79 degrees F.
August averages for different locations on Maui
Lahaina 88-69 F. (31.1C-20.6C) .18" of precipitation
Hana 84-71 F. (28.9C-21.7C) 5.62" of precipitation

Kahului 88-71 F. (31.1C-21.7C) .49" of precipitation
Kahului % of possible daytime sunshine: 73%

September - The weather continues to be very warm, the height of summer here in the tropics. Some of the highest temperature readings of the season occur in this month. Tropical Storms and Hurricanes rarely enter Hawaiian waters, but this is the month when they come the closest and are more apt to affect the weather on Maui. Normally they stay far away, but when they get close enough to the island, they make the residents uncomfortable with the muggy atmosphere they produce. Hurricane Iniki entered into the adjacent waters, and impacted the island of Kauai in September of 1992. Tradewinds blow on the average 83% of the time. Sea water temperature averages about 80 degrees F.
September averages for different locations on Maui
Lahaina 89-70 F. (31.7C-21.1C) .34" of precipitation
Hana 84-70 F. (28.9C-21.1C) 5.38" of precipitation

Kahului 88-70 F. (31.1C-21.1C) .35" of precipitation
Kahului % of possible daytime sunshine: 62%

October - This is the month that temperatures begin moderating from summers high heat a little! Tradewinds also begin to fade from the island weather scene. In some years, Maui begins to see the first winter-like storms that are far out to sea in the North Pacific......they sometimes can produce the first large waves of the season. Occasionally one of these early winter storms will send a weak cold front through the islands, which can cause a few showers. This month is still mild and dry. Tradewinds are blowing on the average 71% of the time. Sea water temperature averages about 79 degrees F.
October averages for different locations on Maui
Lahaina 88-69 F. (31.7C-20.6C) 1.09" of precipitation
Hana 83-70 F. (28.9C-21.1C) 7.02" of precipitation

Kahului 87-69 F. (30.6C-20.6C) 1.23" of precipitation
Kahului % of possible daytime sunshine: 60%

November - Generally a transition month between summer and winter, with weather of both seasons common. The first real winter storms to the North and NW send down a cold front or two, with some showery spells, especially after the middle of the month. Winter storms also more regularly send large waves onto the North and West shores. Temperatures begin to dip noticeably (before you start packing your down jackets....please realize that when I say "dip down", I mean from the high 80's down to the middle 80's! :-). November in some years begins the rainy season. Tradewinds are blowing on the average 64% of the time. Sea water temperature averages about 77 degrees F.
November averages for different locations on Maui
Lahaina 86-67 F. (30.0C-19.4C) 2.15" of precipitation
Hana 81-68 F. (27.2C-20.0C) 8.67" of precipitation

Kahului 84-68 F. (28.9C-20.0C) 2.59" of precipitation
Kahului % of possible daytime sunshine: 67%

December - A winter month on Maui, with fairly frequent cold fronts sweeping over the island, bringing showery periods, with sometimes gusty winds. Still, December has its fair share of warm and balmy days as well! Medium to large surf is very common on the North and West shores of the island. One of the wettest months of the year, with some rainy days....although the areas around Kihei and Lahaina on the leeward sides of the island see less moisture than do the wetter windward sections in general. Tradewinds are blowing on the average 57% of the time. Sea water temperature averages about 76 degrees F.
December averages for different locations on Maui
Lahaina 83-65 F. (28.3C-18.3C) 3.20" of precipitation
Hana 79-66 F. (26.1C-18.9C) 6.05" of precipitation

Kahului 81-66 F. (27.2C-18.9C) 3.27" of precipitation
Kahului % of possible daytime sunshine: 58%