Hawaii is known for its sunny beaches and tropical breezes, but this week, parts of the island chain are looking more like a winter wonderland. Powerful winds and heavy snow are hitting the highest peaks, while the rest of the islands brace for storms and flooding.
The summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, which tower over 13,500 feet, are under a winter storm warning. Meteorologists say these volcanic peaks could see up to two feet of snow, with wind gusts as strong as 85 mph making travel nearly impossible. Webcams at the Keck Observatory on Mauna Kea showed plows already working to clear the snow Friday morning.
But the snow isn’t the only wild weather happening. On Maui, the National Weather Service recorded 120 mph winds at the summit of Haleakala on Thursday night. Meanwhile, parts of the island saw more than a foot of rain in just 24 hours, causing trees to fall and roads to close due to flooding.
Across the islands, strong winds and thunderstorms are making for a rough few days. Kauai and Oahu are under storm watches, with the potential for severe weather, including damaging winds and even waterspouts forming offshore.
While snow isn’t unheard of on Hawaii’s tallest mountains, full-blown blizzards don’t happen every year. And when the roads to the peaks close, only a handful of researchers remain. According to records, Mauna Kea has already seen snow a few times this season, including in late October, early November, and mid-January.
As the storm moves through, residents are keeping an eye on the changing conditions, with some bracing for more flooding and wind damage. From snowy peaks to stormy beaches, this winter is proving to be anything but typical for Hawaii.
