Winter Storm Warning and 8″ Fresh Snow Forecast for Hawaii

A winter storm warning was in effect in Hawaii yesterday as cold weather and high winds brought snow accumulations to the higher elevations of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Honolulu HI
334 PM HST Mon Dec 19 2022

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH 6 AM HST TUESDAY..

HIZ028-201445-
/O.CON.PHFO.WS.W.0002.000000T0000Z-221220T1600Z/
Big Island Summits-
334 PM HST Mon Dec 19 2022

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM HST
TUESDAY...

* WHAT...Heavy snow and blowing snow. Blizzard conditions possible.
  Additional snow accumulations of up to 8 inches. Winds gusting
  as high as 120 mph.

* WHERE...Big Island Summits.

* WHEN...Until 6 AM HST Tuesday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible.
  Blowing snow will significantly reduce visibility at times,
  with periods of zero visibility.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Winter Storm Warning means significant amounts of snow, sleet,
and ice are expected or occurring. Strong winds are also
possible. This will make travel very hazardous or impossible. Any
travel plans to the summits should be postponed until the threat
diminishes.

Up to eight inches of snow and winds gusting as high as 100 mph were forecast on Big Island Summits above 10,500 feet.

13,680 foot Mauna Loa, the world’s largest active volcano, and 13,800 foot Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano, were forecasted to see near-blizzard conditions. Mauna Loa volcano only just stopped erupting on December 13th following more than two weeks of activity that began November 27th.

Although Hawaii is more often associated with sunshine, beaches, and surfing, it’s not unusual for them to receive snow, and it is even possible to ski/ride at higher elevations. A storm in January 2020 dumped up to three feet of snow in January 2021 that was enough to ski and ride, a winter storm watch was issued in May 2021, and more recently, a storm in December 2021 brought heavy snow too.

• Related: Yes, You Can Actually Ski in Hawaii

A vigorous cold front is expected to bring impactful weather to all areas of the state Sunday through Tuesday. Here are the latest forecast updates as of Saturday afternoon. #hiwx pic.twitter.com/uV7djY9Xzp

— NWSHonolulu (@NWSHonolulu) December 18, 2022