A winter weather advisory is in effect for Hawaii’s Big Island through Friday evening. The National Weather Service forecasts up to five inches of snow on Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. The advisory for elevations above 11,000 feet warns of hazardous travel conditions from blowing snow and near-zero visibility.
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URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Honolulu HI 314 PM HST Thu Apr 17 2025 .A slow moving upper level trough will move through the islands through Friday, bringing periods of snow to the Big Island summits. HIZ028-181415- /O.CON.PHFO.WW.Y.0002.000000T0000Z-250419T0400Z/ Big Island Summits- 314 PM HST Thu Apr 17 2025 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM HST FRIDAY... * WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations 3 to 5 inches. * WHERE...Big Island Summits. * WHEN...Until 6 PM HST Friday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Blowing snow will significantly reduce visibility at times, with periods of zero visibility. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Winter Weather Advisory means that periods of snow, sleet, or freezing rain will cause travel difficulties. Be prepared for slippery roads and limited visibilities and use caution while driving.
While snow in Hawaii may surprise many, it is a regular event on the state’s tallest volcanic peaks. The high elevations of Mauna Kea, which rises to 13,796 feet, and Mauna Loa, at 13,678 feet, create a sub-Arctic climate at their summits. According to Tom Birchard, a forecaster with the National Weather Service in Honolulu, snowfall occurs on average five to eight times per year, primarily during Hawaii’s wet season from October through April. “It’s not out of the realm of normality,” Birchard told Newsweek, noting that the current event falls at the tail end of the typical snow season.
The current advisory is driven by a slow-moving upper-level trough bringing moisture and cold air to the region. Forecasters expect periods of snow, sleet, or freezing rain through Friday, with the potential for heavier showers and isolated thunderstorms as the system moves eastward. The weather service cautions that travel to the summits could become extremely challenging, with blowing snow significantly reducing visibility and creating slippery road conditions.
Rangers may close summit roads if conditions deteriorate. As of Thursday afternoon, the roads remained open, though visitors are urged to exercise caution, especially those hoping to catch a sunset view from the peaks.
Elsewhere in Hawaii, the same weather system is producing heavy rain and thunderstorms, prompting flood advisories for Oahu, Maui, and Kauai. A high surf advisory is also in effect for north- and west-facing shores, with waves reaching up to 16 feet on some coasts.
The winter weather advisory for the Big Island summits expires at 6 p.m. HST Friday, while flood advisories for other islands are expected to conclude by midday. Forecasters anticipate that showers and unsettled weather will linger into the weekend, with another storm system possible early next week.
