Hawaii wakes up to rare winter weather high above the Pacific this morning. At elevations above 12,000 feet, snowflakes swirl across the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.
A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect until 6 PM HST today for the Big Island summits. Forecasters warn that up to 2 inches of snowfall could accumulate. Freezing drizzle may also create a thin glaze of ice.
Blowing snow will reduce visibility at times. Periods of near-zero visibility are possible. Winds can whip loose snow across exposed ridges, making travel extremely dangerous.
Roads to the summits could become slick quickly. Icy patches may form where freezing drizzle coats the pavement. Anyone planning travel to the observatories or higher elevations should reconsider.
Conditions are expected to remain hazardous through the afternoon. Snow and a wintry mix will linger before gradually tapering later today.
Lower elevations across the Big Island remain unaffected by snow, but cooler air aloft fuels this unusual winter setup at the peaks. Even in Hawaii, winter can make a brief appearance at high elevations.
Looking ahead, summit weather should improve after this evening. Temperatures will slowly moderate into early next week. Across the broader islands, a gradual warming trend is expected through midweek, with more typical trade wind patterns returning.
