The Big Island of Hawaii has every climate condition in the world as classified by the Koppen classification system of climates. The five main climate classifications are: tropical rainforest, arid and semi-arid, temperate zone, periglacial, and snow.
Actually, Hawaii is considered to have only four out of the five climate classifications because although there is seasonal snow on the mountain peaks of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa volcanoes, the Koppen system places the mountain peaks in the periglacial zone.
The reasons for the diversity in climate on Hawaii Island is its enormous size coupled with the heating and cooling of the land up and down the mountain. This creates mini-climates that multiply the climate diversity.
The mountains of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa provide an immense diversity of topography, temperature, and vegetation. The tradewinds predominantly come from the northeast and hit these two large volcanoes which produce even more unique climates.
Where else but the Big Island of Hawaii can you wade under a tropical waterfall, drive up a volcano and play in the snow, drive through a lava desert, and sunbathe on a sandy beach--ALL in one day?
One thing I love about Hawaii is the diversity of terrain.
I've heard different answers on the number of climates on the Big Island. I've heard 10 of 12....11 of 13 or something like that. I once tried searching for something conclusive and scientific, but never found it. A helicopter guide in Hawaii told us that Hawaii doesn't have extreme hot and extreme cold climates....so who knows. All that matters is that Hawaii is beautifully diverse in many ways!
Posted by: Sheila | October 31, 2007 at 11:12 AM
That's one good reason to live on the Big Island - you wouldn't get tired of the weather - and if you did, you could just drive somewhere nearby and it would change!
Posted by: Mauigirl52 | October 31, 2007 at 05:31 PM
Yes, living on the Big Island is amazing. We live in the cool mountains and can drive minutes away to go fishing at the warm beach!
Posted by: HawaiiVacationGifts | November 04, 2007 at 02:13 AM
No offense, but i suggest admin adding a google+ button for easy share!
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