KauaiCoastHawaii.com

Kauai weather has always been a little unpredictable; in fact, it is reported as having one of the fastest changing weather trends in the world. As the northernmost island in the Hawaiian Islands archipelago, Kauai has cooler weather when compared to the younger islands.

The weather normally changes according to the season; however, this isn’t quite true for Kauai. When vacationing here, many find that the location of their stay is what determines the weather. Highland and mountain regions like Kokee are much cooler than the coastal regions, while the northern shore is colder than the southern. With every 1000 feet you rise above sea level, the temperature drops by 3.5 degrees.

The climate is classified as subtropical with winter daytime temperatures between 76 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit and night temperatures between 60-64 degrees Fahrenheit. In the summer, the temperature range rises and is 60-64 degrees Fahrenheit, and the nighttime ranges between 70 and 72 Degrees. The waters here are always refreshingly cool, ranging from 73 to 80 degrees.

The humidity in Kauai is quite high; despite this, the weather here is hardly oppressive. Trade winds are often found on this island, with the hurricane months that spans from June to November. The island’s deadliest hurricanes were Hurricane Iwa in 1982 and Hurricane Iniki in 1992.

Annual rainfall on Kauai can get up to about 40 inches. The rain patterns are seasonal and often accompany the trade winds. You can see the differences between the windward and leeward coasts of the island as well as the eastern and western shores. While visiting this island, you will find that the southwestern coast receives more rain than the northeastern areas. Despite all these differences, you will find the wettest spot of the island at its center. Mount Waialeale receives 500 inches of rain a year, making it the island’s wettest spot.

If you visit Kauai, you will notice that much of the rainfall occurs at night, and particularly in the mountains. In the summer, the shores are partly sunny and partly cloudy. Rain tends to occur periodically through the months of November all the way to March.