Hawaii Weather Radar

Hawaii Live Weather

Hawaii Live Weather Radar

Click to toggle between the Hawaii cloud cover radar map and the Hawaii precipitation radar map.

Hawaii Hourly Weather Forecast

Hawaii 7-Day Weather Forecast

Hawaii Weather Overview

Hawaii weather radar covers the most isolated island chain in the world, where tropical systems, trade wind showers, and volcanic terrain create conditions unlike anywhere else in the United States. The Big Island alone contains 10 of the 14 Köppen climate zones found on Earth. Hawaii weather radar is critical because conditions shift between windward and leeward coasts — rain can fall on one side of an island while the other stays dry.

Hurricane season from June through November is the highest-stakes period for Hawaii weather radar monitoring. Hurricane Iniki slammed into Kauai as a Category 4 in September 1992, causing $3.1 billion in damage. Hurricane Lane in 2018 dumped over 52 inches of rain on the Big Island in four days. The NWS Honolulu office (WFO HFO) and the Central Pacific Hurricane Center track every tropical system entering Hawaiian waters. Between hurricanes, Hawaii weather radar detects flash flooding from rain bands that overwhelm narrow valleys across all islands.

The 2023 Lahaina wildfire proved Hawaii faces threats beyond tropical storms. Winds from Hurricane Dora combined with drought fueled a fire that killed 101 people on Maui — the deadliest U.S. wildfire in over a century. Hawaii weather radar tracks wind patterns and fronts that drive wildfire risk. From Kauai's 404 inches of annual rainfall at Mount Waialeale to Honolulu's 17 inches per year, Hawaii weather radar helps residents navigate extreme weather diversity across every island.

Hawaii Weather Risks & Safety

Key weather hazards to monitor on the Hawaii weather radar

Hurricane & Tropical Storm Risk

Hawaii sits in the path of Atlantic and Gulf tropical systems. Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, peaking in August and September when warm sea surface temperatures fuel rapid intensification. On the radar, you can track the eye wall, rain bands, and embedded tornadoes as a storm approaches. If you live in Hawaii, keep your evacuation plan current and check the radar frequently once a tropical advisory is issued.

Flooding & Flash Flood Risk

Flash flooding is Hawaii's most persistent weather hazard. Slow-moving thunderstorms or tropical moisture can dump enough rain to overwhelm drainage systems within hours — especially in paved urban areas where water has nowhere to go. Check the radar to see where the heaviest rain is falling and which areas to avoid. The standing rule: turn around, don't drown. Never drive through flooded roads, even if they look shallow.

Wildfire Smoke Risk

Wildfire smoke drifts into Hawaii even when the fires are hundreds of miles away. Upper-level winds carry smoke plumes that turn skies hazy and push the Air Quality Index into unhealthy territory. Radar can't detect smoke directly, but it shows the wind patterns and incoming fronts that determine whether smoke lingers over Hawaii or gets pushed out. If you have asthma or respiratory issues, check the AQI alongside the radar during wildfire season.

How to Use Hawaii Weather Radar

Follow these steps to get the most from the Hawaii weather radar data.

Check Current Island Conditions

View the real-time weather status bar at the top of the Hawaii weather radar page — it shows temperature, humidity, wind speed, and trade wind conditions. Select your island location for accurate local data.

Watch the Live Radar for All Islands

The radar map displays precipitation moving across the Hawaiian island chain from Kauai to the Big Island. Toggle between precipitation and cloud views, then play the animation to see whether rain is tracking windward or spreading leeward.

Review Hourly and 7-Day Forecasts

Scroll down to check the hourly forecast for incoming tropical moisture or afternoon showers. Use the 7-day outlook to plan around hurricane season activity or Kona storms that can bring unusual south winds and heavy rain to normally dry leeward coasts.

Track Tropical Storms and Hurricanes

During hurricane season from June through November, watch for tropical systems approaching from the east or south. Hawaii weather radar updates every 10-20 minutes — critical when a hurricane or tropical storm threatens the islands. Bookmark this page for quick access during advisories from WFO Honolulu.

Who Benefits from Hawaii Weather Radar

How different people use the Hawaii radar data

Commuters & Drivers

Oahu drivers on H-1 and H-2 face flash flooding in heavy rain — check radar before your commute.

Outdoor Enthusiasts

Hikers on Diamond Head, Kalalau Trail, and Haleakalā need radar to spot fast-moving mountain showers.

Event Planners & Families

Planning events at Aloha Stadium or Waikiki Shell? Radar shows when trade wind showers will pass.

Outdoor Workers

Construction, agriculture, and tourism crews across the islands — check radar before outdoor shifts.

Hawaii Weather FAQ

Common questions about Hawaii weather patterns and radar

When is hurricane season in Hawaii?

Hurricane season in Hawaii runs from June 1 through November 30, with peak activity in August and September. The Central Pacific Hurricane Center in Honolulu monitors all tropical systems between 140°W and the International Date Line. While direct hits are rare, Hurricane Iniki struck Kauai as a Category 4 in 1992, causing $3.1 billion in damage and remains the most destructive hurricane in Hawaii history.

How much rainfall does Hawaii receive annually?

Rainfall in Hawaii varies more than almost anywhere on Earth. Honolulu averages about 17 inches per year on its dry leeward side, while Big Bog on Maui's Mount Waialeale area receives over 404 inches annually — one of the wettest spots on the planet. Trade winds push moisture against volcanic mountains, creating dramatic differences between windward and leeward sides of each island.

What caused the 2023 Lahaina wildfire in Hawaii?

The August 2023 Lahaina wildfire on Maui killed 101 people and nearly destroyed the historic town — the deadliest U.S. wildfire in over a century. Strong winds from Hurricane Dora passing south of the islands combined with drought conditions and dry invasive grasses to fuel rapid fire spread. Power lines and wind gusts above 60 mph made containment impossible in the early hours.

Why does weather vary so much between Hawaii islands?

Each Hawaiian island has distinct microclimates created by volcanic terrain and persistent northeast trade winds. The Big Island alone contains 10 of the world's 14 Köppen climate zones — from tropical rainforest on the Hamakua Coast to subarctic conditions atop Mauna Kea, where temperatures have dropped to 12°F. Windward coasts are wet and lush, while leeward sides stay dry and sunny, sometimes just miles apart.

What was the worst flooding event in Hawaii?

Hurricane Lane in August 2018 brought record rainfall to the Big Island — over 52 inches in some areas across four days, causing severe flooding and landslides. Earlier, the 1960 tsunami generated by a 9.5-magnitude earthquake in Chile killed 61 people in Hilo. Flash flooding remains a year-round threat across all islands, especially in narrow valleys and stream beds that funnel rainwater rapidly downhill.

How is this radar different from Hawaii News Now weather radar?

Hawaii News Now (KGMB/KHNL) pairs radar with meteorologist analysis and live storm coverage — valuable during hurricane advisories and flash flood warnings. This page provides a lightweight, ad-free alternative with interactive RainViewer radar maps, Open-Meteo hourly forecasts, and a 7-day outlook covering all Hawaiian islands. Radar imagery updates approximately every 10 minutes. Bookmark this page for quick island-wide radar access without video autoplay.