Climate change in Hawaii

Climate change is affecting locations like Hawaii in a variety of ways. In fall, these impacts include potentially hazardous atmospheric rivers, more unusually warm days, and more intense hurricanes.

Explore these pages to learn how people in Hawaii are at risk in a warming world.

Since 1991, average annual temperatures in Hawaii have gotten 1.5°F warmer, reflecting an overall warming trend.

Warming puts people and ecosystems at risk from more frequent and intense extreme weather.
Overall, the contiguous U.S. is about 2.8°F warmer today than in 1970, based on average temperatures.
Data source: NCEI Climate at a Glance

Since 1991, Hawaii's annual precipitation has increased by 0.5 inches.

Climate change is supercharging the water cycle and bringing heavier precipitation extremes across the U.S.
For every 1°F of warming, the air can hold 4% more moisture, increasing the chances of heavier downpours that contribute to flash flooding hazards.
Data source: NOAA ACIS

Hawaii's climate threats in include:

The amount of rainfall during the heaviest rain events each year in Hawaii has decreased by 19% since 1958.

Climate change is supercharging the water cycle, bringing heavier precipitation extremes across the U.S.
This chart shows how the amount of rainfall during the top 1% heaviest rain events each year in Hawaii increased between 1958 to 2021.
Data source: Fifth National Climate Assessment

Between 1980 and 2025, Hawaii experienced 1 billion-dollar hurricane.

As the planet warms, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense, resulting in devastating losses.
Tropical cyclones (which include hurricanes and tropical storms) are the most costly extreme weather events in the U.S.
This data shows the total number of hurricanes with at least one billion dollars in damages that occurred during 1980-2025.
Data source: U.S. Billion Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters

Since 1991, average fall temperatures in Hawaii have gotten 1.3°F warmer, reflecting an overall warming trend.

Fall warming means that risky heat, fire weather, and allergies linger later into the year.
Data source: NCEI Climate at a Glance

The sea level in Hawaii is projected to rise 0.9 feet by 2050 even if nations meet their pledged commitments to reduce heat-trapping pollution.

Increasing flood risk is driven by our warming climate, which is causing sea levels around the world to rise. Rising sea levels push tides and storm surges higher and farther inland.
Climate Central’s Coastal Risk Finder provides maps and analysis of the people, homes, and land in the U.S. projected to be at risk from worsening coastal flooding driven by rising seas.

Explore some ways climate change is affecting Hawaii in fall

Warmer and wetter atmospheric rivers

Warming boosts moisture, making storms wetter, stronger, and costlier.

Key concepts:

Atmospheric rivers move huge amounts of moisture from tropics to poles.
When they hit land, they unleash intense rain and snow across U.S. regions.
In the West, they provide vital water and drought relief.
Back-to-back storms can trigger floods, landslides, avalanches, and levee breaks.
Warming boosts their moisture, making storms wetter, stronger, and costlier.

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More warm fall days

Fall (September-November) has warmed nationwide since 1970.

Key concepts:

Fall (September - November) has warmed nationwide since 1970.
Warming is nationwide, strongest in the Southwest.
Hotter falls extend risks from heat, wildfire, allergies, and more.

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More intense hurricanes

Warmer oceans from climate change fuel stronger hurricanes.

Key concepts:

Warmer oceans from climate change fuel stronger Atlantic hurricanes with heavier rain and higher storm surge.
Rising seas amplify storm surge, increasing risks for coastal residents.
Warmer air holds more moisture, driving heavier downpours and flooding.

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Changes in severe storms

Certain conditions favorable to thunderstorms and tornadoes are occurring more often

Key concepts:

Severe storms make up half of U.S. billion-dollar disasters since 1980.
Climate change is shifting storm conditions into new seasons and regions.

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Impacts to food prices

Extreme events fueled by climate change can damage crops, reduce yields, and disrupt supply chains.

Key concepts:

Food and climate change are closely linked. Food systems account for about one-quarter of all heat-trapping pollution.
Meanwhile, extreme events fueled by climate change can damage crops, reduce yields, and disrupt supply chains — all of which can drive food prices higher.
The availability, quality, and affordability of food reflect a complex set of climatic and socioeconomic factors. Emerging research is providing insight into the role of climate change.

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More graphics about Hawaii and climate change

Browse climate-related graphics for all seasons localized for Hawaii, available for download and use consistent with our Terms of use.

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Climate change in Hawaii

Hawaii's climate threats in fall include:

Explore some ways climate change is affecting Hawaii in fall

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Hawaii's climate threats in include: