Thunderstorm Wind in Hawaii
Every thunderstorm wind event the National Weather Service has filed in Hawaii, year by year, with the most significant episodes. Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
The most significant on the map
The most significant thunderstorm wind episodes in Hawaii.
- Tornadoes
- Tropical storms and surge
- Floods
- Wind
- Hail
- Winter weather
- Heat and drought
- Cold
- Fire, smoke and dust
- Marine and coastal
- Other
The record
- Events
- 39
- Deaths
- 1
- Injuries
- 0
- Damage
- $1.1 million
Every year
The most significant
Ranked by deaths, injuries, damage and size together.
- Flash Flooding and Damaging Wind in Hawaii, February 15 to 19, 2018With a weakening front over the islands and an upper low northwest of Kauai, heavy showers and thunderstorms developed over the state. Drenching rain led to periods of flash flooding over several isles, and gusty winds downed trees and power lines.
- Flash Flooding and Debris Flows in Hawaii, April 11 to 16, 2018A developing upper low northwest of the state, in combination with tropical moisture, induced periods of heavy showers and thunderstorms, and generated historic flash flooding conditions over the Garden Isle of Kauai.
- Flash Flooding and Damaging Wind in Hawaii, April 11 to 12, 2024A strong low pressure system to the northwest of the Hawaiian Islands along with an associated surface trough brought abundant moisture and an unstable atmosphere to the region.
- Damaging Wind in Hawaii, February 27, 2004Strong downburst winds from a thunderstorm destroyed three homes, severely damaged two others, and caused minor damage to two other residences in the southwest part of the Big Island of Hawaii, from Milolii to Papa.
- Damaging Winds in Hawaii, January 10, 2025A mesoscale convective complex formed within an upper level trough axis centered over the eastern half of the state. Severe thunderstorms developed east of this trough axis and moved south onto the island of Maui.
- Damaging Wind in Hawaii, January 8, 2005A severe thunderstorm affected the National Tropical Botanical Garden near Kalaheo and Lawai on Kauai. Storm winds damaged several buildings' roofs on the property and some of the prized horticulture. However, no serious injuries were reported.
- Tornado and Flash Flooding in Hawaii, March 8 to 9, 2012A cold front and an upper-level low combined to generate severe weather across much of the Aloha State. Significant weather included thunderstorms, flash flooding, record-setting hail, and a tornado.
- Damaging Wind in Hawaii, January 30, 1996Severe thunderstorm winds blew down numerous trees. An employee at the Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands on the west coast of Kauai reported the heaviest squall line he had seen in 17 years of observing weather. Winds at Kokee were estimated at 60 mph.
- Tornado and Flash Flooding in Hawaii, December 11 to 14, 2008A surface low northwest of the Garden Island of Kauai, a surface front, and an upper air trough generated heavy showers and thunderstorms over most of the Aloha State. Several schools were closed, and many roadways became impassable because of high water and debris.
- Flash Flooding and Wildfire in Hawaii, March 21 to 26, 2016A period of light winds with plenty of low-level moisture and transiting upper disturbances produced heavy showers and isolated thunderstorms over much of the Aloha State. There were also flash flood events as time went along. No serious injuries were reported.
- Flash Flooding and Damaging Wind in Hawaii, October 22 to 25, 2017A combustible mix of surface and upper air instability, and deep tropical moisture, brought periods of strong winds, heavy rain, thunderstorms, and flash flooding to parts of the Aloha State. Lightning strikes led to power outages, and gusty winds toppled trees and power lines.
- Flash Flooding and Debris Flow in Hawaii, December 1 to 2, 2013An advancing cold front and upper trough brought heavy rain, thunderstorms, and/or flash flooding to portions of Kauai, Oahu, and Molokai. The total cost of damages was not available.
- Flash Flood and Winter Storm in Hawaii, December 9 to 11, 2010A cold front, in combination with an upper trough, brought heavy showers, rain, and thunderstorms to parts of the Aloha State. The systems also generated snow for the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa on the Big Island of Hawaii. There were no reports of serious injuries.
- Flash Flooding and Hail in Hawaii, December 29 to 31, 2013Heavy rain and thunderstorms affected much of the Big Island of Hawaii at the end of December. Flash flooding occurred, along with falling hail and possibly a microburst from a thunderstorm. There were no reports of serious injuries. The cost of damages was not available.
- Damaging Wind in Hawaii, November 3, 1995Thunderstorm winds tore off part of the roof of the Nawiliwili Small Boat Harbor office. Trees and powerlines were blown down over parts of south and east Kauai.
- Hail and Damaging Wind in Hawaii, December 19 to 20, 2009Upper level instability, acting on residual low level moisture from an old frontal boundary, generated heavy showers, thunderstorms, high winds, and large hail over parts of Maui, Molokai, and the Big Island of Hawaii. There were no reports of serious injuries or property damage.
- Flash Flood and Damaging Wind in Hawaii, December 15, 2013A weather system moving from the west affected the Garden Isle of Kauai, the island of Oahu, and Molokai. There were no reports of serious injuries. The cost of damages was not available.
- Damaging Winds in Hawaii, December 18 to 19, 2022A strong winter season cold front dropped across the islands and generate a round of thunderstorms with damaging wind gusts.
- Damaging Wind in Hawaii, January 27, 1996Two warehouse roofs were damaged at Pearl Harbor.
- Damaging Wind in Hawaii, January 30, 1996Wind gusts to 45 mph were reported at Barbers Point, and by weather spotters in Honolulu, Kailua, and Kahuluu. Trees downed on highway near Kuoloa.
- Damaging Wind in Hawaii, March 4, 1996
- Damaging Wind in Hawaii, March 4, 1996
- Damaging Wind in Hawaii, March 4, 1996
- Damaging Wind in Hawaii, March 4, 1996
- Damaging Wind in Hawaii, January 29, 1997Winds estimated at 75 mph associated with a thunderstorm ahead of an eastward moving cold front damaged a metal building at a seed corn company in Kekaha. Wind gusts to 53 mph were recorded at Lihue.
More
Sources
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24.