Haleakalā National Park Weather Guide (Summit & Kīpahulu)
Same island, totally different planets.
Down at the beach you’re in flip-flops. Two hours later on Haleakalā you’re in a beanie, gloves, and every layer you own… while the Kīpahulu side is warm, wet, and jungle-green.
This page is your plain-English weather guide to Haleakalā National Park so you can:
- Pick the right time of day and season
- Pack the right layers for summit vs. Kīpahulu
- Understand how weather affects sunrise, sunset, stargazing, hikes, and downhill bike tours
- Decide when flexible tours with free cancellation are better than self-driving
Popular Ways to Enjoy Haleakala National Park
— Haleakala summit sunrise experience above the clouds: magical, otherworldly
— Exciting downhill bike ride along the slopes of Haleakala
— Haleakala summit sunset tour with dinner: twilight experience
— Hiking the Pipiwai Trail in the Kipahulu District (self-drive or small group Road to Hana tour)
Why Haleakalā weather feels so weird
Haleakalā National Park runs from sea level to just over 10,000 ft at the summit. That vertical jump means there is no single “typical” forecast – the park service and weather guides all stress that conditions change fast and vary dramatically by elevation.
A few big picture points:
- Temperatures at the summit are usually about 20–30°F cooler than the coast.
- Daytime temps on hiking trails in the backcountry can swing 40–70°F, with nights in the 30–50°F range, and storms dropping things below freezing.
- The Kīpahulu District (Pīpīwai Trail, ʻOheʻo Gulch) on the windward coast averages around 187 inches of rain a year, but with comfortable daytime temperatures around 70–80°F and nights roughly 65–75°F.
- The National Park Service and local operators repeat one thing over and over: expect sun, rain, clouds and wind in a single visit and be ready for all of it.
Good to Know
Storms at the summit can bring 80+ mph winds, freezing temps, fog and even ice/snow on rare winter days – you may see road or summit closures in those conditions, so always double-check before driving up.
Summit vs. Kīpahulu – side-by-side climate snapshot
Here’s a simple comparison using long-term climate summaries, NPS information, and local weather guides. Numbers are approximate ranges, not exact daily forecasts.
| Area / Elevation | Typical daytime temps | Typical night temps | Rain pattern | What it feels like |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summit (9,500–10,023 ft) | ~40–65°F (4–18°C) most of the year; colder during winter storms | ~30–50°F (-1–10°C); can dip below freezing in storms | Generally dry but very changeable; snow/ice possible in winter storms | Cold, windy, thin air; huge windchill at sunrise/sunset |
| Mid-mountain (around 6,500 ft – bike launch area) | Roughly 50–70°F | Cooler evenings, often 40s–50s°F | Mix of sun, trade-wind clouds, occasional showers | Cool, breezy – light jacket at minimum |
| Kīpahulu coastal district (near sea level) | 70–80°F (21–27°C) most days | 65–75°F (18–24°C) | Very wet – about 187 in / 475 cm of rain yearly | Warm, humid, often rainy with bursts of sun |
Season by season – what changes, what doesn’t
Haleakalā doesn’t have a hard “on/off” season, but patterns help.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
- Summit: coldest and windiest part of the year; average highs often around 50°F, lows near or below freezing on some nights. Snow/ice at the very top is possible in strong winter systems.
- Kīpahulu: very wet; waterfalls and streams are often powerful and photogenic.
- Crowds: island-wide peak around holidays and winter break; sunrise tours and reservations go fast.
Spring (Mar–May)
- Summit: still chilly, but slowly warming. March summit averages around high 40s / low 30s°F, edging up into the 50s as you head into April/May.
- Island hiking guides often point to spring as a sweet spot for pleasant temps and good visibility on crater trails.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
- Summit: warmest, driest feel, but still cool – think 40s–60s°F with much stronger sun at altitude.
- Kīpahulu: warm, humid, and still plenty of showers – it’s rainforest all year.
- Crowds: family peak season; book sunrise/sunset tours and vehicle reservations early.
Fall (Sep–Nov)
- Summit: many local tips and blogs call fall one of the best times for comfortable hiking, with moderate temps and slightly lighter crowds than mid-summer and winter.
- Stormy days do roll through; check forecasts and webcams before committing to a long hike or summit drive.
For finer detail (like wildlife seasons and crowd levels), also read our /best-time-to-visit guide.
Best weather resources to check before you go
You’ll want real forecasts, not just averages:
- NPS Haleakalā weather page – good overview plus links to webcams and notes on both districts.
- National Weather Service zone forecast – Haleakalā Summit (HIZ022) – detailed highs/lows, wind, and rain chances for the summit.
- NWS Kipahulu forecast (HIZ048) – coastal, Kīpahulu-specific conditions for Pīpīwai and ʻOheʻo.
- Reputable weather apps for “Haleakalā National Park” or summit area for hour-by-hour trends.
Pro Tip
Look at both summit and Kīpahulu forecasts if you’re building a 2-day plan. It’s totally normal for the crater to be crystal clear while Kīpahulu is in heavy rain – or the other way round.
How weather affects sunrise, sunset & stargazing
Sunrise
- Expect summit temps somewhere in the 32–55°F (0–13°C) bracket with strong windchill; many visitors report feeling much colder than the number on the forecast.
- Clouds can either be magical (sea of clouds under you) or completely block the sun.
Because sunrise vehicle reservations are limited and non-refundable, many visitors hedge by booking a sunrise tour with free cancellation through a trusted reseller instead – if forecasts look ugly, you can often cancel up to 24 hours beforehand.
Sunset & stargazing
- Sunset temps are still cold, especially once the sun drops; evening lows in the 40s are common, and wind makes it feel sharper.
- Clear nights at the summit are fantastic for stars – dark skies, bright Milky Way in season – but plan for numb fingers and a very chilled camera.
This is where sunset & stargazing tours shine: transport, heavy coats/blankets, telescopes, and a guide who knows when to move if clouds roll in. Look for these on your /sunset-stargazing and /best-tours pages, and lean into tours that offer free cancellation in case the sky doesn’t cooperate.
Weather and hiking conditions (summit & Kīpahulu)
Summit crater hikes (Sliding Sands, Halemauʻu)
The park’s own safety page and multiple hiking sites all hammer the same points:
- Daytime temps on trails can range 40–70°F, but strong sun and wind make it feel hotter or colder than the number suggests.
- Weather is unpredictable – blue skies can flip to fog, rain, or hail in minutes.
- Storms can bring winds over 80 mph and temps well below freezing, especially in winter.
For crater hikes, the safest window is usually morning to early afternoon, with a hard cut-off so you’re back near the road before late-day clouds and potential storms build.
Kīpahulu & Pīpīwai Trail
- Kīpahulu sits on the rainy, windward side; the NPS notes an annual average of ~187 inches of rain and warm temps around 70–80°F year-round.
- Expect mud, slick rocks, and the very real possibility of flash floods and rockfall in valleys like Pīpīwai, especially after or during heavy rain.
If the forecast shows sustained heavy rain or the park posts flood/closure alerts, swap Pīpīwai to another day – or pivot to a summit plan instead.
What to wear: by activity
Summit sunrise / early morning
Guides, forums and local blogs all say basically the same thing: dress for winter, not for Maui.
Pack:
- Base layer (long sleeves)
- Warm mid-layer (fleece/sweater)
- Windproof outer shell or puffy
- Long pants, warm socks, and closed-toe shoes
- Beanie/hat, gloves, and a scarf or buff
- Blanket from your accommodation if you don’t have a heavy coat
Daytime summit visit & short hikes
- Lighter layers are fine, but still bring a jacket and long pants – cloud and wind can drop the feel from “pleasant” to “icy” quickly.
- Strong sun at 10,000 ft means hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen are non-negotiable.
Sunset & stargazing
- Similar to sunrise: full layers plus hat and gloves, even in summer.
- If you’re joining a tour, many operators provide heavy coats or ski suits; check the inclusions when booking via resellers.
Kīpahulu / Pīpīwai Trail
- Quick-dry shirt and shorts or light pants
- Light rain jacket or poncho (showers are normal)
- Grippy hiking shoes or trail runners; mud and wet boardwalks are common.
Weather, tours & free cancellation – smart booking strategy
Because Haleakalā’s weather can flip on you, flexibility is gold:
- Self-drivers are locked into sunrise vehicle reservations that can’t be changed if the summit is socked in.
- Good sunrise, sunset, and Road to Hāna tours on major resellers often include:
- Free cancellation up to about 24 hours before
- Clear descriptions of what they do in bad weather
- Hundreds of recent reviews so you can see how they handle marginal days
That’s your safety net: if the forecast screams “rain, ice, zero visibility,” you can often cancel or reschedule without eating the full cost, then aim for a clearer day.
What to do next
To turn weather info into an easy plan:
- Skim this page to get a feel for summit vs. Kīpahulu and seasons.
- Check short-term forecasts using the NPS weather page, NWS summit forecast, and Kīpahulu forecast for your exact dates.
- Hop to your /best-time-to-visit page to line up ideal months and times of day with your travel window.
- Use /itineraries to plug in sunrise, daytime summit, or Kīpahulu days that make sense for your group.
- When you’re ready to commit, head over to /best-tours, /sunrise, /sunset-stargazing, and /downhill-bike-tours to lock in flexible tours from trusted resellers – always favoring free cancellation in case Haleakalā decides to throw some weather curveballs.
Get the layers and timing right, and the volcano stops being a weather gamble and turns into what you want it to be: clear crater views, moody clouds, or misty rainforest – on your terms.
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