01-31-2005, 06:19 AM
It IS all about elevation. In general, under 800 ft elevation is hot and humid. Summers you suffer and sweat. From around 1000 to 1800 feet is better. The trade winds don't hit the land until 800 to 1000 feet. That pully off the humidity in the stand still air of below 1000. Some feel this elevation set is ideal. In most areas it is warm with morning and/or afternoon showers at this elevation. Cool is a relative term. It's not about temperature but about air flow and movement.
Over 1500 feet to about 2500 feet is slightly cooler; maybe 5 degrees. Humidity is absent most days because of the good breezes. Showers are more frequent. Although for the last week it has been almost like a drought in the Mt. View area (for example) we usually have heavy ranis at night and sometimes in the day but we see sun nearly every day. The stories I had heard about gloom have not been fulfilled so far; I have been here since October.
Over 2500 feet... say 3000 to 4000 you get the same basic day weather but nights have temp drops and most people up in Mt. View tell me they need a fireplace or wood stove in winter. Again, days run the same as everywhere but nights drop maybe 10 or 15 degrees lower. So what does this all mean? It means I am trying to be helpful but have limited experience. In my humble experience and in talking with new neighbors it goes something like this:
sealevel to 800 ft: sticky, stagnant humid air; temps run around 80 - 90
800 to 1500 ft: good air movement, temps run 70 to 80, morning and afternoon showers and frequent night rains. Night temps down to 65 or so
1500 to 2500 ft: same as above but nights temps drop to 60's maybe and in winter as low as mid 50's.
ove3r 3000 ft: day temps hang around 75 to 80 except on a rainy day may drop to 60's. Nights as low as low 50's with more rain. Days drizly often but sunny days especially at mid day.
Hope this is helpful. You will get conflicting answers and none are wrong. This is for the Hilo to Volcano area. Every area of the island is a microclimate. You have to go there hang out and see if it fits you!
Good Luck. Pam
May you live in interesting times.
Over 1500 feet to about 2500 feet is slightly cooler; maybe 5 degrees. Humidity is absent most days because of the good breezes. Showers are more frequent. Although for the last week it has been almost like a drought in the Mt. View area (for example) we usually have heavy ranis at night and sometimes in the day but we see sun nearly every day. The stories I had heard about gloom have not been fulfilled so far; I have been here since October.
Over 2500 feet... say 3000 to 4000 you get the same basic day weather but nights have temp drops and most people up in Mt. View tell me they need a fireplace or wood stove in winter. Again, days run the same as everywhere but nights drop maybe 10 or 15 degrees lower. So what does this all mean? It means I am trying to be helpful but have limited experience. In my humble experience and in talking with new neighbors it goes something like this:
sealevel to 800 ft: sticky, stagnant humid air; temps run around 80 - 90
800 to 1500 ft: good air movement, temps run 70 to 80, morning and afternoon showers and frequent night rains. Night temps down to 65 or so
1500 to 2500 ft: same as above but nights temps drop to 60's maybe and in winter as low as mid 50's.
ove3r 3000 ft: day temps hang around 75 to 80 except on a rainy day may drop to 60's. Nights as low as low 50's with more rain. Days drizly often but sunny days especially at mid day.
Hope this is helpful. You will get conflicting answers and none are wrong. This is for the Hilo to Volcano area. Every area of the island is a microclimate. You have to go there hang out and see if it fits you!
Good Luck. Pam
May you live in interesting times.
I want to be the kind of woman that, when my feet
hit the floor each morning, the devil says
"Oh Crap, She's up!"
hit the floor each morning, the devil says
"Oh Crap, She's up!"