The Big Island Climate Reality: Rainbows, humidity and soft winters
Is it going to drizzle, downpour, or maybe something worse? The summers are like a warm beach towel and the winters like a breezy lanai nap. Here's what else is going on around the Big Island that will impact the time you spend outside.
Matt, Our Local Expert Guiding Your Move
Matt was born and raised on Oahu and currently makes the North Shore playground his home. He has lived in four states, half a dozen countries, and more houses across Oahu than he can remember. Each move requires relocating something like 40 surf, foil, and paddle boards and the sobering realization that they all have to fit somewhere. He is an adventure journalist, backcountry snowboarder, rock climber, mountain biker, and relentless swell tracker who loves scouting out obscure waves in far-flung corners of the world. Favorite constants include swell checks, tide charts, and vegan sushi at Tane. At Snappy Scout, Matt edits Hawaii guides with saltwater honesty and local precision.
Read moreWritten with local insight from Snappy Scout relocation experts
What's the Weather Really Like in The Big Island?
The forecast, the fashion, and the fine print locals wish someone had told them sooner.
Summer temps be like
Sunlight, ocean breeze (mid-80s to low 90s, but your car seat feels like a lava field).
Winter lows are
Mild enough to brag (upper 60s at sea level, 40s in Waimea, and the occasional snow atop Mauna Kea).
The humidity makes me
Marinate like a poke bowl.
Unique weather patterns
Eight climates before lunch: trade wind showers that hit sideways, Hilo gets the rinse cycle, Kona stays suspiciously sunny until the afternoon cloud pileup, then vog drifts in like an unwanted houseguest when Kilauea is feeling chatty.
Local weather fashion tip
Skip the umbrella, as it will likely get blown away. Keep a light rain jacket in the car and wear slippers you don't mind baptizing in red mud.
You know it's time to get out of town when
The whole island feels like a warm, wet towel and even the locals start plotting a Mauna Kea sunrise run just to remember what crisp air feels like.
Bugs be like
Mosquitos with island confidence, centipedes that act like they pay rent, and ants that find your snack through a closed Ziploc.
You're stuck indoors again today because
The rain decided to audition for a waterfall and the roads are doing that glossy thing that makes everyone drive like they're carrying grandma's soup.
Green thumb enthusiasts love
Planting basically whenever, harvesting like its a hobby, and casually growing bananas, citrus, and ginger without any effort.
My Favorite Season in The Big Island
There's no specific season for eruptions on Kilauea—sometimes it's active and sometimes it isn't. But when it is, it's possible to see the largest lava fountains on the planet—and who wouldn't want to experience that?!
— Matt Rott
Hawaii Local Expert
Ready to See If The Big Island Fits You?
Compare cities, check the routes, or head back to the full The Big Island guide for the bigger picture.