Honolulu, HI: When to Go and Weather

Weather: Honolulu weather is lovely most days of the year thanks to its prime location on the southern coast of the island of Oahu in the Pacific Ocean. The city is situated on a plain between the ocean and Koolau mountain range. The semi-tropical climate is sunny and humid, cooled by frequent trade winds, and the city experiences just two seasons: summer (May through October) and winter (November through April.)

There's not much of a difference in temperatures between Honolulu's two seasons, but there's a significant contrast in precipitation levels. Summertime is fairly dry, averaging just 0.5 inches of rainfall per month, but winter brings heavier rains that can last for a few days at a time. The month of December often receives nearly 3 inches of rain. Highs average 75 degrees F during this off season, while the numbers climb into the lower 90s during August and September, in the heart of summer. Honolulu weather sees fewer variations than any other US city, so even though rainy spells can put a damper on a getaway weekend during the winter, the city remains a vacation destination year-round.

Looking for local weather reports once you've arrived in Hawaii? Switch on KHNL NBC 8 (www.khnl.com) or KITV ABC (www.kitv.com).

When to Go: Peak Season
It's no surprise that the months of December through April constitute Honolulu's peak season. After all, it's cold and wet in much of the US, but it's sunny and warm on Oahu. Cruise ship crowds, surfers, and families traveling on special packages crowd Honolulu hotels and beach resorts starting around the winter holidays, and the tourism scene is in full swing until spring starts raising temperatures in the rest of the country. Rates are about 15% higher at this time than during the off season, and you'll run into crowds everywhere, but the sun shines just about every day and temperatures hover around 75-80 degrees F. Rainstorms are a typical occurrence, but provided that they don't stick around too long, the clouds seem to add to the appealing tropical atmosphere.

When to Go: Off Season
During August and September, Honolulu temperatures rise into the 90s. It's a little too hot in Hawaii, and the temperatures are pleasant in plenty of other US destinations, so it stands to reason that late summer is the city's off season. During these months, Honolulu weather is humid, but it doesn't rain much. Hotels slash their rates at this time, and some resorts are half-empty. Travelers will be able to book relatively well-priced packages around this time, especially if they're willing to travel at the last minute. The same holds true for airfare from the continental US to Oahu.

When to Go: Shoulder Season
May, June, July, and October are in-between seasons on Oahu. Because these months are some of the most temperate elsewhere in the United States, fewer travelers feel the urge to get away to warmer climes. Honolulu still sees healthy cruise ship traffic, not to mention last-minute travelers taking advantage of deeply discounted airfare specials to Hawaii, but the hotels and city attractions are quieter at this time. Temperature-wise, the city is more than comfortable during these months of early summer and fall, and tourists will enjoy having museums and cultural sites more or less to themselves.

• Fri

   

  Partly Cloudy

  83  73

• Sat

   

  Partly Cloudy

  83  73

• Sun

   

  Windy

  82  72

• Mon

   

  Partly Cloudy

  82  72

• Tue

   

  Mostly Sunny

  82  72

• Wed

   

  Mostly Sunny

  82  72

• Thu

   

  Sunny

  83  73

Get more information on Honolulu weather.