Weatherboy

Weatherboy Weather News, Maps, RADAR, Satellite, and Forecasts.

Winter Storm Warning for Heavy Snow Issued for Hawaii

by -

A snowboarder looks at the slopes of Mauna Kea before gliding down its fresh December snowfall. Image: Weatherboy
Winter Storms will often draw skiers and snowboarders from around the world to experience the snow in Hawaii. Here, a snowboarder looks at the slopes of Mauna Kea before gliding down its fresh December 2020 snowfall. Image: Weatherboy



The state better known for its warm tropical tradewinds and sunny beaches is going to get a mid-April visit from Old Man Winter, prompting the National Weather Service office in Honolulu, Hawaii to issue a Winter Storm Warning for portions of the Big Island.

While most people don’t associate the tropical paradise Hawaii is known for with snow, they’re surprised to learn that it does snow in the winter due to the elevation of these volcanic peaks. Mauna Kea is the highest of the bunch at 13,803 feet. Maui’s Haleakala is much lower at 10,023 feet. Because of that difference, Hawaii Island will see snow more frequently than the lower Maui Island. Just one storm in January 2020 dropped 2-3 feet of snow on Hawaii Island and created snow drifts that were far deeper. Another storm in January 2021 brought snowboarders and skiers out to the mountain by the dozens. And a storm right before Christmas last year brought heavy rains and damaging winds throughout the state but also dumped heavy snow on the highest peaks of the Big Island too. 

Big Island residents Reed from Kona, dressed as Santa, and Carrie from Hilo, shovel snow into a cooler near the summit of Mauna Kea. They are bringing snow to their friends near the beach in Kona to have a snowball fight with. Image: Weatherboy
Big Island residents Reed from Kona, dressed as Santa, and Carrie from Hilo, shovel snow into a cooler near the summit of Mauna Kea. They are bringing snow to their friends near the beach in Kona to have a snowball fight. Image: Weatherboy

 

And while snow is common during the winter months, potent storm systems outside of winter can also bring cold upper atmospheric conditions closer to the surface of Hawaii’s highest peaks in spring and summer too. One such storm will occur this weekend.

The National Weather Service’s Honolulu office has issued a Winter Storm Warning through 6am Sunday morning local time for heavy snow that is expected to produce accumulations of 6″ or more.



While blizzard conditions, like those that struck Hawaii in December, are not expected from this storm, the National Weather Service (NWS) does say hazardous conditions are likely on the higher elevations of Hawaii Island also known simply as the “Big Island.”  In an urgent message released by the NWS, they say, “A Winter Storm Warning means significant amounts of snow, sleet, and ice are expected or occuring. 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.” The NWS also adds that heavier bursts of snow in this winter storm could be accompanied by gusty winds, low visibility in clouds, and cloud to ground lightning.

 


 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Weatherboy (@weatherboyweather)

 

 




The summit of Mauna Kea is dotted with visitors who were taking advantage of the pleasant winter weather to enjoy the highest peak and slope in all of Hawaii. Image: Weatherboy
The summit of Mauna Kea is dotted with visitors who were taking advantage of the pleasant weather right after a winter storm struck in December 2021. Image: Weatherboy

 

 

The snow plows cleared the roads nicely, blowing deep snow and drifts off of the pavement here at Mauna Kea where roads finally opened today after the weekend blizzard in Hawaii. Image: Weatherboy
Snow plows will clear roads nicely, pushing deep snow and drifts off of the pavement here at Mauna Kea during the winter months …or any time snow covers the summits. Image: Weatherboy

 

 

Fire and ice! The puff of clouds/smoke in the very middle of this picture is actually steam and smoke rising from the ongoing volcanic eruption at Kilauea. The volcano can be viewed from the summit of Mauna Kea here today. Image: Weatherboy
Fire and ice! The puff of clouds/smoke in the very middle of this picture is actually steam and smoke rising from the ongoing volcanic eruption at Kilauea. The volcano can be viewed from the summit of Mauna Kea here today. Image: Weatherboy

 

 

The view south towards Kona shows clouds locked-in below the peak of Mauna Loa as far as the eye can see. In the foreground, snow-covered slopes blend in with the nearby white clouds. Image: Weatherboy
This December 2021  view south towards Kona shows clouds locked-in below the peak of Mauna Loa as far as the eye can see. In the foreground, snow-covered slopes blend in with the nearby white clouds. Image: Weatherboy

 

Radio telescopes near the summit of Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii aim to the sky while the top of nearby Haleakala, Maui's tallest summit, can be seen in the background from this Big Island vantage point. Image: Weatherboy
Radio telescopes near the summit of Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii aim to the sky while the top of nearby Haleakala, Maui’s tallest summit, can be seen in the background from this Big Island vantage point. Image: Weatherboy

 

 

 

Living up to its name: this is the view out onto the Mauna Kea Ice Age Natural Area Reserve. The nearby hill, the rocky cinder cone called Puʻu Pōhaku contains a rare example of permafrost in the tropics. Image: Weatherboy
Living up to its name: this is the view out onto the Mauna Kea Ice Age Natural Area Reserve. The nearby hill, the rocky cinder cone called Puʻu Pōhaku contains a rare example of permafrost in the tropics. Image: Weatherboy