Reading the Clouds in Hawaii: What Different Cloud Types Mean

The clouds above Hawaiʻi tell a story. With dozens of Hawaiian words for “cloud,” it’s easy to understand why island residents have long looked to the sky to predict weather changes. From fluffy cumulus clouds to dramatic cumulonimbus formations, cloud types in Hawaii often reveal trade winds, approaching storms, and shifting weather patterns. Cloudless days are rare here, making cloud watching both a science and an art.

Cloud watching here is part science, part intuition, and part tradition. Long before weather apps and radar maps, people read the sky. My dad used to point at clouds and predict the weather with surprising accuracy — and more often than not, he was right. Check out my last blog on that subject.

Why Clouds Are So Common in Hawaii

Above in the Auau Channel between Lanai and Maui: a contradictory combination of fluffy cumulonimbus clouds — the flat bottom indicating trade winds — along with a straight line of pink clouds, meaning the sky is calm. Weather conditions change so rapidly in Hawaii; you often see interesting patterns like these.

Rain falls on Lanai under these cumulonimbus clouds

Trade Winds and Cloud Patterns Between the Islands

Nimbus clouds are low-level clouds that bear rain. These are a mix of nimbus and cumulus. Higher up, there is the sunshine and cirrocumulus clouds…

Cirrocumulus Clouds and the “Mackerel Sky”

Cirrocumulus are beautiful and rare clouds — high up in the sky like a honeycomb… an indicator that the winds are shifting direction and the weather will be getting cooler. Above a Cirrocumulus Mackerel Sky. There are various kinds of “Mackerel Sky.” My dad called this “variables,” indicating the weather is changing substantially.

Beautiful altocumulus mackerel sky patterns in Kahului above the West Maui mountains means the weather will be improving.

Stratus Clouds and Subtle Weather Clues

When the mountains are clear of clouds, and my hair gets frizzy, I know a storm is coming! Things smell different, and the weather almost feels heavy when there is high humidity and a low pressure system… Above: Ho’okipa with Kahakuloa and Molokai in the distance.

Sunrise over Haleakala with layers of stratus clouds…looks gloomy but it won’t rain.

Nimbostratus Clouds: Widespread Rain

Cool shaped cumulonimbus rain-cloud cloud formations over Lanai — near the ground, cumulonimbus have sharper edges due to the winds, as they get higher, they get wispier at the edges.

More storm clouds over Lanai — a mixture of cumulonimbus and nimbostratus. Nimbostratus are rain clouds that stretch across the sky

Above: a dramatic nimbostratus and cumulonimbus cloudscape.

It’s rare to see Molokai clear of clouds like this as the Pailolo channel usually gets hits by the trade winds going East to West.

Cirrus Clouds: High and Wispy

High, wispy cirrus clouds, made of freezing droplets over Kahului with fluffy cumulus clouds lower to the ground.

Above a combination of cirrocumulus and fast-moving cirrus clouds.

More cloud observation — anvil-shaped cumulonimbus are common when the cumulus rises up high like this and can’t rise any farther — they flatten out on top… rain is probably on the way.

Fair-Weather Clouds Across the Islands

Molokai: most days in Hawaii, we have puffy, white cumulus clouds indicating no rain in sight! The fact there is not a flat bottom on these clouds means no trade winds. A warm, dry day ahead.

What’s in the cumulus clouds above Puamana in Lahaina: a baby piggy-back riding a duck? What do you see in the skies above Hawaii? Send me your pix!

Many of the beautiful cloudscapes in this blog were photographed by my talented daughter, Zoe.