Snow in Hawaii

A layer of snow coated the summit of Maunakea on Monday morning, after heavy rains the day before prompted a Winter Weather Advisory for Hawaiʻi island summits above 12,500 feet.

The Maunakea Summit Access Road was closed to the public at the Visitor Information Station located at an elevation of 9,200 feet, rangers said at 9:17 a.m. HST, due to “extensive fog, ice and snow on the road, high humidity with freezing temperatures and the forecast for thunderstorms.” Rangers said they will continue monitoring road and weather conditions and will reopen the road to the public when the conditions are safe.

Although the National Weather Service has lifted the Winter Weather Advisory, there is still a chance for convection and heavy snow through the night. From the Maunakea Observatories forecast at 7:30 a.m. HST on Monday:

Snow can occur at the summit of Maunakea at any time of year, although it most commonly occurs during the winter months. Previous to today’s event, the most recent snowfall at the summit was reported on Easter Sunday. Rangers say are very few road closures from April 1 through November 3.

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