The best time to visit Hawaii for a holiday – and how to avoid the rain

An eclectic mixture of US and Polynesian influences, Hawaii is a vacation spot in contrast to another.

When most consider the States, they don’t image tropical rainforest, turquoise waters, rolling inexperienced hills and the white sands of a few of the best seashores in the world, however all this and extra awaits in the archipelago that’s the nation’s fiftieth state.

These volcanic islands sit in the central space of the Pacific Ocean, just under the Tropic of Most cancers and over 2,000 miles from the mainland, which means that they’ve drastically completely different climate circumstances to the remainder of the nation, with a primarily tropical local weather; although there’s some variation all through the islands.

Because of this Hawaii solely has two separate seasons; summer time and winter. Common temperatures stay excessive even in winter, with a median daytime temperatures as excessive as 25C at sea degree, however rainfall in a single space may be as excessive as 11,000mm. So when do you have to visit? Right here’s every part you want to know.

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Moist Season

When is it? November to March

The moist season coincides with ‘winter’ on the islands. Ranges of rainfall differ dramatically relying on space, which is often depending on moist commerce winds which might be pressured upslope by the mountains – the space round Mount Waialeale, on the island of Kauai, is one in all the wettest locations on Earth, with a median annual rainfall of roughly 11,430mm.

The heaviest storms come throughout these months, and even comparatively dry areas can obtain over half their common rainfall in a day or so. General, rainfall is lowest on the islands of Lanai and Molokai, however it is usually very low on the leeward sections (a part of the island that faces away from prevailing winds, on this case the west) of Massive Island, Oahu and Maui. Right here, the common is anyplace between 250mm and 740mm per 12 months. It’s highest in the east of Massive Island and Maui, with up to between 6,400mm and 11,400mm on common, however climate could be very localised. On common, the wettest months are November and December.

Dry Season

When is it? April to October

Whereas even winter has some heat temperatures, the ‘dry season’ (summer time) brings with it hotter climate and much less rainfall. With clear skies, mild breezes and common highs between 29 and 32 throughout these months, the islands are unlikely to get sweltering, as a substitute offering the excellent climate for sunbathing, swimming and exploring the islands’ diverse landscapes. July and August are the hottest months, the place common temperatures can hover round 27C and you’ll probably obtain round 11 hours of sunshine per day. Unsurprisingly, these months additionally appeal to the most guests, though December is one other of the busiest months on the islands regardless of the climate.

Best time to go

Whereas the climate isn’t as optimum in the winter months, it’s nonetheless higher than a lot of the remainder of the US, so winter in Hawaii may be very busy (and costs rise accordingly). That is the similar for the driest islands – Molokai and Lanai – nearly as good climate in winter attracts massive crowds from the mainland. The peak of summer time can be very fashionable and equally costly, in addition to bringing scorching and humid temperatures.

As a substitute, stick to shoulder months corresponding to April, Might, June and September to discover nice climate, decrease costs and a higher vary of lodging choices. June and September are best if you need to make the most of exploring, as even the mountainous areas might be comparatively dry. Common temperatures in these months sit at round 26C, whereas common rainfall is low at between 40mm and 60mm. You too can count on 10 to 11 hours of sunshine per day, offering superb circumstances whether or not you’re strolling the streets of Honolulu or mendacity on the white sands of Maui.

January 

Common temperature: 23C

Hours of sunshine per day: 8 hours

Common month-to-month rainfall: 78 mm

Relative humidity: 74 per cent

February 

Common temperature: 23C

Hours of sunshine per day: 8 hours

Common month-to-month rainfall: 90 mm

Relative humidity: 64 per cent

March 

Common temperature: 24C

Hours of sunshine per day: 9 hours

Common month-to-month rainfall: 88 mm

Relative humidity: 69 per cent

April

Common temperature: 24C

Hours of sunshine per day: 9 hours

Common month-to-month rainfall: 52 mm

Relative humidity: 67 per cent

Might 

Common temperature: 25C

Hours of sunshine per day: 11 hours

Common month-to-month rainfall: 38mm

Relative humidity: 66 per cent

June 

Common temperature: 26C

Hours of sunshine per day: 11 hours

Common month-to-month rainfall: 43mm

Relative humidity: 64 per cent

July 

Common temperature: 26C

Hours of sunshine per day: 11 hours

Common month-to-month rainfall: 57mm

Relative humidity: 65 per cent

August 

Common temperature: 27C

Hours of sunshine per day: 10 hours

Common month-to-month rainfall: 34mm

Relative humidity: 66 per cent

September 

Common temperature: 27C

Hours of sunshine per day: 10 hours

Common month-to-month rainfall: 61mm

Relative humidity: 65 per cent

October 

Common temperature: 26C

Hours of sunshine per day: 9 hours

Common month-to-month rainfall: 80mm

Relative humidity: 67 per cent

November 

Common temperature: 25C

Hours of sunshine per day: 9 hours

Common month-to-month rainfall: 124mm

Relative humidity: 71 per cent

December 

Common temperature: 24C

Hours of sunshine per day: 8 hours

Common month-to-month rainfall: 87mm

Relative humidity: 73 per cent

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