Winter Storm Warnings for Heavy Snow, Ice Issued for Hawaii

Sign warns drivers to engage lower gear on some of the steep roadways on Mauna Kea. Image: Weatherboy — Sign warns drivers to engage lower gear on some of the steep roadways on Mauna Kea while snow and ice cover the wintertime landscape. Image: Weatherboy

While portions of California and Nevada are dealing with an epic blizzard, another place is getting ready for their own taste of severe winter weather: Hawaii. The National Weather Service in Honolulu, Hawaii has issued Winter Storm Warnings for heavy snow and ice expected on the Big Island of Hawaii later today into tomorrow.

Winter Storm Warnings are in effect from 2 pm this afternoon through 6 pm Monday evening, local time. Total snow accumulations of 5-8″ are expected with freezing rain that could produce ice accumulations of around 2/10 of an inch. The Winter Storm Warning is in effect for the highest terrain of the Big Island on the volcanic summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.

“A Winter Storm Warning means significant amounts of snow, sleet, and ice are expected or occurring,” the National Weather Service warned in a bulletin. “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.”

Clouds collide into the peak of Mauna Kea from the Hilo side of the mountain. The peak of the summit, which some consider culturally or spiritually significant, is on the right, free of any telescopes or roads. Image: Weatherboy

An upper level trough and increasing low level moisture will bring some unsettled weather to the region over the next several days. Trade winds are expected to continue at the surface, so expect enhanced showers to be focused over the windward sides of the islands. While the Big Island summits will see heavy snow, the rest of the island is expected to see heavy rain. Due to that, the National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch for the rest of Hawaii Island not under a Winter Storm Warning.

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 the volcanic peaks on Hawaii and Maui islands. 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.