Snow and Hawaii are two words many would not expect to hear in the same sentence, but it has been snowing there since Monday.
“Temperatures have fluctuated near the freezing mark over the Big Island summits, where a mix of snow and rain is occurring, along with gusty winds,” said the website.
The snowfall on the volcanic peaks prompted the National Weather Service to issue winter storm warnings. The NWS issued advisories for areas where up to 2 inches of additional snow is expected, leading to localized storm totals up to 6 inches, said The Weather Channel.
NWS also issued warnings about flash floods, and days just before that wind gust advisories.
Due to the snow and ice conditions, summit roadways have been closed for safety reasons.
“The heavy rain and snow are present because of strong easterly trade winds and a disturbance in the region,” said the website.
“In addition, there is ample moisture in the area, which is helping to enhance precipitation, especially over the Big Island and Maui.”
While it may seem an odd phenomenon to some, snowfall in Hawaii is not unusual.
“It snows here every year, but only at the summits of the highest volcanoes on the Big Island – Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea – which are at an elevation above 13,000 feet, as well as Haleakala on the island of Maui, which is at an elevation of just over 10,000 feet,” said the site.
The website said that the current wet conditions should continue through the week but with temperatures increasing mid-week the snowfall shall cease.
