The seasons in Hawaii are a bit different than the rest of the US. Generally, there are only two seasons in Hawaii: winter and summer. Or, some like to call them the wet season and the dry season.
Winter
Winter goes from November to April and is generally considered the wet season. Trade winds come in from the north Pacific. Moisture is sent to the tops of the mountains. And that’s where most of the rain usually occurs. But storm clouds can spread sending rain to other parts of the island as well. The winter season should not be a deterrent for travelers though. If it’s raining on one part of the island, it can be completely dry and sunny on another part of the island.
The winter season is also a busy time for the travel industry. This is when cold winds and freezing temperatures hit other parts of the northern hemisphere. And vacationers find their way to the islands to enjoy beautiful beaches and warm sunshine. The holiday months of December and January seem to be the peak of the high season. Hotels and hostels are mostly overbooked at this time. And then there’s another rush in March and April when most of the universities take their spring breaks.
Summer
Summer goes from May to October and is generally considered the dry season. The difference in temperature from winter to summer is only a few degrees. Winter months are at 78 F (25.6 C). Summer months are at 85 F (29.4 C). But summer months also see an increase in humidity, which might be unpleasant for those not used to it.
Even though the summer months are considered the dry season and storms are far and few in between, it’s also worth noting that hurricane season is from June to November. So there could also be rare events in which tropical storms develop making a direct path towards the islands.
For the most part, summer is considered the low season for the travel industry. Accommodations and other rentals start decreasing their rates in late April. But June through August become very popular as most are taking summer vacations at this time. And July seems to be the peak since most kids are out of school and local kids are enjoying the same beaches creating a very busy time of year.
Image by: Washington Post
