What should you know about Oahu's weather?
- NWS office
- Honolulu (HFO)
- Climate
- Hot semi-arid
- Time zone
- HST, no DST
- Elevation
- 552 ft
- Coordinates
- 21.44° N, 157.99° W
- Nearest radar
- PHMO · Molokai NEXRAD · 57 mi
- County
- Honolulu County, HI
- Yearly rain
- 16.4 in
- Warmest month
- August · 82.2°F average
- Coldest month
- January · 73.6°F average
- Severe storm peak
- Jan to Mar
How much rain does Oahu get each month?
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 80.5 | 80.5 | 81.2 | 83.1 | 84.8 | 86.9 | 88.1 | 88.8 | 88.4 | 86.9 | 84.1 | 81.8 |
| Low °F | 66.8 | 67.1 | 68.1 | 70.1 | 71.5 | 73.8 | 75.1 | 75.6 | 74.8 | 73.9 | 71.8 | 69.2 |
| Rain (in) | 1.84 | 1.94 | 2.36 | 0.77 | 0.82 | 0.50 | 0.52 | 0.84 | 0.88 | 1.51 | 2.25 | 2.18 |
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Rain (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 80.5 | 66.8 | 1.84 |
| Feb | 80.5 | 67.1 | 1.94 |
| Mar | 81.2 | 68.1 | 2.36 |
| Apr | 83.1 | 70.1 | 0.77 |
| May | 84.8 | 71.5 | 0.82 |
| Jun | 86.9 | 73.8 | 0.50 |
| Jul | 88.1 | 75.1 | 0.52 |
| Aug | 88.8 | 75.6 | 0.84 |
| Sep | 88.4 | 74.8 | 0.88 |
| Oct | 86.9 | 73.9 | 1.51 |
| Nov | 84.1 | 71.8 | 2.25 |
| Dec | 81.8 | 69.2 | 2.18 |
HONOLULU INTL AP, HI US · 9 mi away · NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991 to 2020
What happened on Oahu during the December 2021 Kona low?
Thunderstorms moved over Oahu from the south on December 6, 2021. Flooding hit much of the south shore from Pearl City to Kahala. Over the 72 hours ending December 8, St. Stephens Seminary picked up 12.83 inches of rain and Maunawili 12.61 inches. Part of westbound H-1 through Honolulu closed with waist-deep water near the Vineyard offramp. On the windward side, flooding closed Kamehameha Highway from Waiahole to Waikane.
How localized was the April 2018 east Oahu flood?
Very: the event started over east Oahu on the night of April 13, 2018, with rain falling at rates greater than 4 inches per hour. Most spots west of Honolulu got less than 0.10 inches in 24 hours. The Molokai WSR-88D captured the main part of the storm as it crossed the island. Flooding hit Aina Haina, Niu Valley, Hawaii Kai and Waimanalo. The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency counted 532 homes affected by flooding on Kauai and Oahu combined.
Why can the Oahu Doppler weather radar miss light showers?
The nearest NEXRAD, PHMO, sits on Molokai about 57 miles from central Oahu, so its lowest beam is well above the ground by the time it reaches the island. Shallow trade-wind showers can slip under that beam or look weaker than they are. Deep thunderstorms and Kona low rain bands show up much better. When the NWS radar loop looks quiet but rain is falling on the windward side, trust what you see outside.
How much rain does Honolulu get?
Honolulu's airport averages 16.4 inches of rain a year in the 1991 to 2020 normals, which makes the leeward south shore fairly dry. Most of that falls from November to March, and June averages just 0.5 inches. Windward towns under the Koolau Range see trade-wind showers far more often, so the NWS radar loop can show rain over Kailua while Waikiki stays sunny.
When should you check the Oahu radar?
Hurricane season
June 1 to November 30NWS Honolulu activates the Central Pacific Hurricane Center when a tropical cyclone forms in or moves into the Central Pacific. Watch the NWS radar loop for outer rain bands before driving the Pali or Likelike highways.
Winter surf
January to MarchBig winter swells bring high surf to north-facing shores, so check surf warnings along with the NWS radar loop before heading to North Shore beaches like Waimea Bay.
What else do people ask about the Oahu radar?
Which NWS office and radar cover Oahu?
NWS Honolulu (HFO) issues forecasts and warnings for Oahu. The nearest NEXRAD radar is PHMO, about 57 miles from central Oahu.
Does this page show live radar for Oahu?
No. The radar and satellite maps here cover the lower 48 states only. Live radar is on the NWS radar page for PHMO. This page covers hourly and 7-day forecasts.
Is this page an official warning service?
No. Use this page for hourly and 7-day forecasts. For warnings, follow NWS Honolulu and local emergency alerts.
Quick facts
- Radar: PHMO (Molokai NEXRAD), a new frame every 5 minutes
- Forecasts and warnings: NWS Honolulu (HFO)
- Severe storms peak from January to March (NOAA Storm Events, 1996 to 2025)
- Clocks stay on HST all year
- Radar: PHMO, a new frame every 5 minutes
- Warnings: NWS Honolulu (HFO)
- Severe storms: January to March
- HST all year
Where does this data come from?
- NOAA NEXRAD radar via Iowa Environmental Mesonet
- National Weather Service, Honolulu office
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991 to 2020: HONOLULU INTL AP, HI US
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1996 to 2025
- USGS Elevation Point Query Service
- GOES-East satellite imagery
- Open-Meteo forecast API
- OpenStreetMap contributors
- NWS Honolulu: Kona low drenches the State of Hawaii, December 2021
- NWS Honolulu: Record Kauai and Oahu rainfall and flooding, April 2018
- Central Pacific Hurricane Center: About CPHC
- NWS radar: PHMO