Oahu Weather Radar

Oahu Live Weather

Oahu Live Weather Radar

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

Oahu Hourly Weather Forecast

Oahu 7-Day Weather Forecast

Oahu Weather Overview

Oahu doppler weather radar matters because one island can hold three different weather days at once. Honolulu International Airport averages 16.41 inches of rain a year, while the windward Koʻolau slopes can turn much wetter under trade-wind showers. The NWS Honolulu office (WFO HFO) covers Oahu, and the local radar station listed for central Oahu is PHMO.

The highest-risk setup is not constant rain. It is slow tropical moisture, Kona lows, and thunderstorms that stall against the mountains. During the December 2021 Kona low, Oahu gauges measured 12.83 inches at St. Stephens Seminary and 12.61 inches at Maunawili over 72 hours. Flooding closed parts of H-1 near the Vineyard offramp and Kamehameha Highway between Waiahole and Waikane. Oahu doppler weather radar helps show when rain bands are sliding into leeward Honolulu instead of staying windward. Use Oahu doppler weather radar when south winds make the usual trade-wind pattern unreliable.

Flash flooding is the threat to watch first, but hurricanes, high surf, and wildfire weather also matter. The April 13-15, 2018 Kauai and Oahu flood affected 532 homes and caused nearly $20 million in public-property damage, according to NWS Honolulu. Hurricane season runs June through November, and passing systems can still push damaging wind or swell toward the island. Oahu doppler weather radar is most useful before driving H-1, hiking Mānoa Falls, or planning a North Shore beach day. Check Oahu doppler weather radar again if showers redevelop over the Koʻolau Range.

Oahu Weather Risks & Safety

Key weather hazards to monitor on the Oahu weather radar

Hurricane & Tropical Storm Risk

Tropical cyclones can affect Oahu when their tracks bring strong winds and heavy rain into the area. Seasonal timing and peak activity vary by ocean basin, so follow official tropical weather outlooks and local advisories. On the radar, you can track the storm's center, rain bands, and changes in precipitation as it approaches. Keep your emergency plan current and follow local guidance when a tropical storm or hurricane threatens Oahu.

Flooding & Flash Flood Risk

Flooding can develop quickly in Oahu when persistent heavy rain or tropical moisture lingers over the area. Low-lying areas and roads with poor drainage can become dangerous while rain is still falling. 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.

Flash Flood Risk

The terrain around Oahu funnels rainfall fast — canyon drainages, dry washes, and paved surfaces concentrate water into flows that can sweep away vehicles within minutes. The radar shows real-time rainfall rates, so you can see where the heaviest rain is falling and whether flash flood conditions are building near you. When a flash flood warning hits the Oahu area, move to higher ground immediately. Don't wait to see the water rise.

Wildfire Smoke Risk

Wildfire smoke drifts into Oahu 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 Oahu or gets pushed out. If you have asthma or respiratory issues, check the AQI alongside the radar during wildfire season.

How to Use Oahu Weather Radar

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

Check the Oahu weather status

Start with the current weather strip for Honolulu and central Oahu. Note humidity, wind direction, and rainfall chances before switching to radar, especially during trade-wind shower patterns and humid afternoons.

Watch rain bands over the Koʻolau Range

Use the animated radar to see whether showers are staying windward near Kāneʻohe and Kailua, or spilling into Pearl City, Honolulu, and ʻEwa Beach during rush hour. This helps separate passing sprinkles from rain that may last longer.

Compare hourly timing with your route

Check hourly forecasts before driving H-1, Pali Highway, or Kamehameha Highway. Short bursts can flood low spots even when the morning starts sunny and calm near Waikiki. Recheck again before school pickup or evening traffic.

Recheck during Kona lows and hurricane season

When south winds, tropical moisture, or hurricane advisories are active, refresh Oahu doppler weather radar often. Slow rain bands can park over one district for hours. Pay close attention to alerts from WFO Honolulu.

Who Benefits from Oahu Weather Radar

How different people use the Oahu radar data

Commuters & Drivers

H-1 and Pali Highway drivers checking rain before Koʻolau crossings.

Outdoor Enthusiasts

Hikers at Diamond Head, Mānoa Falls, and Koko Crater watching showers.

Event Planners & Families

Waikiki Shell and Ala Moana event planners timing outdoor setups.

Outdoor Workers

Harbor, airport, and construction crews planning shifts around heavy rain.

Oahu Weather FAQ

Common questions about Oahu weather patterns and radar

When is hurricane season for Oahu?

Hurricane season for Oahu runs from June 1 through November 30, with the most active Central Pacific period usually in August and September. Direct hurricane hits are rare near Honolulu, but passing storms can still bring high surf, strong gusts, and heavy tropical rain bands. Check Oahu doppler weather radar with Central Pacific Hurricane Center advisories when a named storm tracks west of 140°W.

How much rain does Oahu get each year?

Rainfall depends heavily on where you are on Oahu. Honolulu International Airport averages 16.41 inches of precipitation per year in NOAA 1991-2020 normals, but windward neighborhoods below the Koʻolau Range are much wetter. That sharp leeward-to-windward split is why Oahu weather radar can show heavy showers over Kāneʻohe while Waikiki stays mostly dry.

What was a major Oahu flooding event?

The April 13-15, 2018 Kauai and Oahu flash flood is one of the clearest recent examples. NWS Honolulu reported 532 homes affected by flooding across Kauai and Oahu, with public-property damage estimates near $20 million. East Oahu was hit first on April 13 before the larger event expanded, showing how localized island flooding can start fast.

Why do showers move so quickly on Oahu?

Oahu sits in persistent northeast trade winds for much of the year. Those winds push low clouds and showers into the windward Koʻolau slopes, then break them apart or carry lighter showers toward central and leeward areas. On radar, that often looks like short bands moving from Kāneʻohe or Kailua toward Pearl City, Honolulu, or ʻEwa Beach.

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

Hawaii News Now pairs radar with TV meteorologist coverage, video updates, and severe-weather reporting. This page is a lighter option for quick checks: RainViewer radar animation, Open-Meteo hourly forecasts, and a 7-day outlook for Oahu. Radar imagery updates about every 10 minutes, so it works well when you just need to see whether rain is approaching your route.

Which Oahu roads are most affected by heavy rain?

H-1 through Honolulu, Pali Highway, Likelike Highway, Kamehameha Highway, and low spots near Pearl City can all slow down during heavy rain. In the December 2021 Kona low, flooding closed H-1 westbound near the Vineyard offramp and Kamehameha Highway from Waiahole to Waikane. Check Oahu radar before crossing the Koʻolau routes in wet weather.