A major winter storm system has recently hit Mauna Kea, a volcano on the Big Island near Mauna Kea, dumping approximately 1-2 FEET of new snow on the summit. A winter weather advisory was issued for the area last Friday as a heavy-impact storm hit the volcano, producing snowdrifts as deep as 4 feet, the general manager of Maunakea Support Services Stewart Hunter reports.
- Related: Yes, You Actually Can Ski in Hawaii!
The access road on the volcano was closed on Friday morning as a result of the snow storm. NOAA reported that the winter storm lasted for a total of 3 days up until Monday, January 12th, when an additional 4 inches fell on the volcano at elevations above 12,000 feet. Both the access road to Mauna Kea’s summit and the campground at Mauna Loa were closed. But it’s not over just yet.
The Mauna Kea Weather Center forecasts winter storm conditions to continue through today, Wednesday January 15, advising inhabitants to take caution when traveling in the area, West Hawaii Today reports. In the meantime, the access road has remained closed. More snow is expected to impact the volcano on Thursday as well. Looks like it may be time to swap that surfboard for a pair of sticks!
I lived in Hilo on the Big Island in 1979 in the summer and it can snow up at the summit of 14,00 feet at any time of year
On Mauna Kea, even in the summertime, night time temps are around freezing or below, so it snows. Last time I was there in the summer, the summit still had snow.
My wife and I lived in Hawaii for 12 years and we have family that still lives in the Islands we would here of it snowing on the Big Island at the Summit so this is not surprising. It happens so lets let it be.
In the early 80’s, my dad took our family to Hawaii…we were on the Big Island and there were people getting off the plane with snow skis…talked with one young man who said he would ski Mauna Kea in the morning, and by the afternoon, he was on the beach surfing.
This is false checked it out and it does not snow at 80 degrees
Not 80 degrees at the summit. It snows up there several times a year. Mauna Kea means white mountain.
There is also a ski slope there. Yes it does snow in Hawaii at high elections.
You mean “high elevations.”
You’re wrong!! I don’t where you got you’re information. I’ve lived in Hawaii for a total of 22.5 years and driven to the top of Mauna Kea and walked in the snow! Also, it snows on Maui every 7-10 years on Haleakala, elevation 10,000 feet.
It’s not 80 at 4,000 ft elevation
14,000
It’s not 80 degrees at 14,000 feet level
Surprised at snow in Hawaii? Yes. Surprised at snow at 14,000 feet elevation? Of course not. The shock value of this story goes away when that fact is emphasized.
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