Hawaiʻi Volcanoes Weather: Forecast and Month-by-Month Averages

Live forecasts from the National Weather Service. Monthly averages are NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals. Check the NPS alerts page for road and trail closures.

Episode 26 — Lava fountains at Halemaʻumaʻu during episode 26 of the Kīlauea summit eruption in 2025.Photo: James Lee / Unsplash

In shortHawaiʻi Volcanoes runs from sea level to about 13,680 ft at the summit of Maunaloa, so the weather depends mostly on where you are. The table represents park headquarters at the Kīlauea summit (3,971 ft), which is mild, often rainy and misty, and averages nearly 100 inches of rain a year; NPS says the summit can be 12 to 15 degrees cooler than sea level. The coast at the end of Chain of Craters Road is usually hot, dry and windy.

Planning for October at the Kīlauea summit (3,971 ft): 72°F days, 55°F nights, 8.2 in of precipitation.

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes forecast by area

Weather changes a lot with elevation here, so check the forecast for where you are actually going. Each forecast covers the National Weather Service grid square around that spot.

Kilauea Visitor Center (summit area) 3,974 ft

The table's area: highs around 68-74°F, cool nights, frequent rain and fog; volcanic gas can collect here, especially when trade winds are weak.

The live 7-day forecast loads here. You can also open the National Weather Service forecast for Kilauea Visitor Center (summit area).

End of Chain of Craters Road (coast) 50 ft

Often hot, dry, sunny and windy, with passing showers; NPS says the summit can be 12-15°F cooler. Shadeless lava, so carry plenty of water.

The live 7-day forecast loads here. You can also open the National Weather Service forecast for End of Chain of Craters Road (coast).

How elevation changes the weather in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes

Estimated average high and low for each area in October, highest first. Air cools about 3.5°F for every 1,000 feet you climb, so the same day can feel like two different seasons. Change the month in the packing picks below to update these numbers.

3,974 ftKilauea Visitor Center72° / 55°
50 ftEnd of Chain of Craters Road86° / 69°

Estimates based on the long-term average at the Kīlauea summit (3,971 ft). Check the live forecast for each area above before you go.

Average weather in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes by month

Monthly averages for HAWAII VOL NP HQ, HI (Kilauea summit) (3,971 ft), NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals. About 97 inches of precipitation a year.
Month	Avg high	Avg low	Precipitation
January	68°F	49°F	8.8 in
February	68°F	49°F	8.2 in
March	68°F	51°F	10.3 in
April	68°F	52°F	9.2 in
May	70°F	53°F	6.5 in
June	71°F	54°F	5.1 in
July	73°F	56°F	6.3 in
August	74°F	56°F	5.9 in
September	73°F	55°F	6.0 in
October	72°F	55°F	8.2 in
November	70°F	54°F	10.6 in
December	68°F	52°F	11.4 in

These are long-term averages at one station. Higher areas of the park are colder, and any single year can be much warmer, colder, wetter or drier.

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes weather month by month

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes in January

68°F / 49°F. One of the cooler months at the summit, with highs about 68°F and lows about 49°F. Winter is when trade winds are more often absent, so volcanic gas can build up at the summit; check air quality.

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes in February

68°F / 49°F. Similar to January, about 68°F by day and 49°F at night at the summit, with about 8 inches of rain. Bring a rain jacket and a warm layer for evening eruption viewing.

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes in March

68°F / 51°F. Wet at the summit, about 10 inches of rain on average. The coast is usually much warmer and drier.

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes in April

68°F / 52°F. Highs about 68°F and lows about 52°F at the summit, with about 9 inches of rain. Rain and fog can roll in quickly any day.

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes in May

70°F / 53°F. Rain begins to ease, about 6.5 inches at the summit. Days are pleasant for summit hikes; the lava fields on the coast are hot.

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes in June

71°F / 54°F. The driest month at the summit, about 5 inches of rain, with highs about 71°F. Carry plenty of water on lava-field hikes, which have no shade.

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes in July

73°F / 56°F. Highs about 73°F at the summit. The coast at the end of Chain of Craters Road is often hot, dry and windy.

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes in August

74°F / 56°F. The warmest month at the summit, about 74°F by day and 56°F at night, and one of the drier months. Sun and heat on open lava are the main challenge.

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes in September

73°F / 55°F. Still relatively dry, about 6 inches of rain at the summit. Nights stay cool, so bring a layer after dark.

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes in October

72°F / 55°F. Rain picks up again, about 8 inches at the summit. Highs about 72°F.

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes in November

70°F / 54°F. Wet, about 10.6 inches of rain at the summit. Expect showers and mist, and plan for slick trails.

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes in December

68°F / 52°F. The wettest month at the summit, about 11.4 inches of rain, with highs about 68°F. Bring rain gear and warm clothes, especially for night visits.

Weather hazards to plan for

Volcanic gas (sulfur dioxide) and vog can harm people with heart or lung problems, infants, young children and pregnant women; check the park's air quality page often.
Fast-changing weather at the summit: intense rain, fog, cold and wind can arrive with little warning.
Heat and sun on shadeless lava fields and along the coast; NPS advises at least two quarts of water per person.
Strong winds, high surf and steep sea cliffs along the coast at the end of Chain of Craters Road.
On Maunaloa, extreme daytime sun and below-freezing nights, with snow possible in any season.

What to pack for Hawaiʻi Volcanoes, based on the weather

Gear picked from Hawaiʻi Volcanoes's average weather for the month you choose. Packing for

October: average high 72°F, low 55°F, 8.2 in of precipitation.

Sleeping bags rated 40–49°F

Nights average 55°F at the Kīlauea summit, and higher campgrounds run colder. A bag rated about 10°F below the low keeps you warm.

Shop at Coleman

Tents with a full rainfly

October averages 8.2 inches of rain here. A full-coverage rainfly keeps you and your gear dry.

Shop at Coleman Rain jacket on Amazon

Coolers

Keep food sealed and cold at camp.

Shop at Coleman

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Hawaiʻi Volcanoes weather questions

What is the weather like at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes in December?

At the Kīlauea summit, December is cool and wet, with highs about 68°F, lows about 52°F and about 11.4 inches of rain, the most of any month. The coast at the end of Chain of Craters Road is usually much warmer and drier.

Does it rain a lot at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes?

Yes, at the summit. Park headquarters averages nearly 100 inches of rain a year, wettest from about November through April and driest in June. The coastal lowlands are much drier.

What is vog and when is it worst at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes?

Vog is volcanic smog that forms from sulfur dioxide released by the volcano. NPS says high sulfur dioxide levels at the Kīlauea summit happen most often in winter, when trade winds are weak or absent; check the park's air quality page before and during your visit.

How cold does it get at night at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes?

At the Kīlauea summit, nights average about 49-56°F year-round, coolest in January and February. Bring a warm layer and rain gear for evening eruption viewing; Maunaloa's summit drops below freezing.

What is the best month to visit Hawaiʻi Volcanoes for weather?

Summer and early fall, roughly June through September, are usually the driest and warmest at the summit, with highs about 71-74°F. Weather is unpredictable any time of year, so pack for both rain and sun.

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National ParkFees, hours, maps, where to stay and a first-day plan.Open the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes guide