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Maui Weather
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Maui Weather, Hawaii
Temperature and Climate Zones
Weather on all of the Hawaiian Islands is very consistent, with only minor
changes in temperature throughout the year. This is due to year-round warm sea
surface temperatures, which keep the overlying atmosphere warm as well. In
practical terms, there are only 2 seasons: the summer months (called Kau in
Hawaiian) that extend from May to October and the winter months (Hooilo) that
run from November to April. The average daytime summer temperature at sea level
is 85 degrees F. (29.4 C) while the average daytime winter temperature is 78
degrees (25.6 C). Temperatures at night are approximately 10 degrees F. lower.
The islands are an incredible collection of many diverse micro-environments,
each with its own unique weather, plants and animals. As a result of the
shielding effect of volcanic mountains and the differences in weather found at
various elevations, there are as many different climate zones here as exist
along the entire coast stretching from Alaska to Costa Rica. For the full impact
of this, visitors need only explore the islands by car or helicopter and they’ll
see the beauty of tropical rain forests, cool alpine regions, stony deserts and
sunny beaches - all within the span of just a few short miles.
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.
The action of trade winds here means that there is always a cooling breeze. The
strength of this wind builds as the heat of the day rises and reaches a peak in
the afternoon, only to diminish in the evening and start again the next day.
Several times during the year the trade winds will stop completely and the wind
will switch around to come out of the south or west, bringing stormy or hot
sticky weather. Islanders sometimes call this "Kona" weather, because kona means
leeward or South, and this points to the direction from which these weather
systems arrive. Stormy weather comes to the islands, primarily in the winter and
sometimes lingers for several days. Severe storms, however, are not a common
occurrence.
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
"locals", your hotel staff or a lifeguard for recommendations and also look for
warning flags and posted beach conditions.
Hawaii's Mountains and Volcanos
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.
Maui Weather, Hawaii

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