Knotties' Comments
#1 The North side definitely gets more wind and rain, but it is gorgeous too. We took a day to go chill out and watch the kite boarders there... so that might give you an indication of wind strength!
#2 The north side gets more rain, and there's pretty much only one road going in and out over there by Mama's Fish House. If there's a traffic accident, it might be a little difficult for you to get out. It is nice to relax, though.Staying in Kihei is much more convenient for shopping, and you have access to nicer "swimming" beaches. (There are beaches on the north side, but it is windier in general, so you'll see more surfers, bodyboarders, windsurfers and kiteboarders.) In the summer, the surf is usually better (bigger) on the south side, but still okay for swimming at most places. In the winter, the surf is bigger on the north side and not so good for swimming.
#3 I hear that the north side is a little more unpredictable - showers coming and going and the waves can be stronger. We really like the north side, though, and are spending some HM time there.
#2 The north side gets more rain, and there's pretty much only one road going in and out over there by Mama's Fish House. If there's a traffic accident, it might be a little difficult for you to get out. It is nice to relax, though.Staying in Kihei is much more convenient for shopping, and you have access to nicer "swimming" beaches. (There are beaches on the north side, but it is windier in general, so you'll see more surfers, bodyboarders, windsurfers and kiteboarders.) In the summer, the surf is usually better (bigger) on the south side, but still okay for swimming at most places. In the winter, the surf is bigger on the north side and not so good for swimming.
#3 I hear that the north side is a little more unpredictable - showers coming and going and the waves can be stronger. We really like the north side, though, and are spending some HM time there.
http://hawaiiweathertoday.com
One of the things that makes Hawaii such a popular year-round vacation destination is its incredibly mild climate. If you are cold in the wintertime, you can come here and get warm. If you are hot in the summertime you can come here and cool off. Many Maui residences have no air conditioning and no heater. Windows are almost always left open and ceiling fans and our cooling trade wind breezes provide all the air conditioning we need here in paradise.
In order to understand Hawaii weather, you have to realize the different micro-climates that exist here. The windward side of the islands receive lots of rain ... the trade winds blow in the moist ocean air, the mountains lift the air and cause it too cool, and it condenses and causes clouds and rain. The leeward side of the islands are in a rain shadow ... they are much drier and hotter than the windward side. The summit area of the West Maui Mountains is the second wettest spot on the face of the earth ... receiving 400 inches of rain a year! Yet in Lahaina, at the base of these mountains on the leeward side, the annual total is a sparse 12 inches or so! The trade winds typically blow from the northeast, leaving the southwest sides of the island dry and warm and producing rain forests on the north facing slopes.
Most of the resorts on Maui are located in the leeward areas. The closer you are to the windward side, the more rain you will get at your hotel. You might find yourself doing a little more driving to go to a beach that is sunnier. This line between the windward and leeward sides of the islands is what gives rise to the many rainbows that are seen in Hawaii. And of course, the 400" of rain causes spectacular waterfalls and deeply carved valleys. (you have to take a helicopter flight to really see the most spectacular falls)
In order to understand Hawaii weather, you have to realize the different micro-climates that exist here. The windward side of the islands receive lots of rain ... the trade winds blow in the moist ocean air, the mountains lift the air and cause it too cool, and it condenses and causes clouds and rain. The leeward side of the islands are in a rain shadow ... they are much drier and hotter than the windward side. The summit area of the West Maui Mountains is the second wettest spot on the face of the earth ... receiving 400 inches of rain a year! Yet in Lahaina, at the base of these mountains on the leeward side, the annual total is a sparse 12 inches or so! The trade winds typically blow from the northeast, leaving the southwest sides of the island dry and warm and producing rain forests on the north facing slopes.
Most of the resorts on Maui are located in the leeward areas. The closer you are to the windward side, the more rain you will get at your hotel. You might find yourself doing a little more driving to go to a beach that is sunnier. This line between the windward and leeward sides of the islands is what gives rise to the many rainbows that are seen in Hawaii. And of course, the 400" of rain causes spectacular waterfalls and deeply carved valleys. (you have to take a helicopter flight to really see the most spectacular falls)
