Snow fell on Hawaii’s tallest peak, Mauna Kea, this week, covering the summit in 2 inches of white powder. Despite Hawaii’s reputation for warm weather, beaches, and rainforests, snowfall on Mauna Kea’s higher elevations during winter is not uncommon due to its height of 13,803 feet. An upper level disturbance brought colder temperatures and moisture to the area, resulting in the snowfall. Webcams captured the snowy scene briefly before it melted away. Mauna Kea’s summit, considered sacred by Native Hawaiians, is uninhabited and known for its excellent conditions for stargazing due to limited light pollution and a dry atmosphere. The mountain is home to about a dozen telescopes that have led to significant astronomical discoveries.
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Snowfall on Hawaii’s Tallest Peak: How Cold Air and Moisture Produce Rare Snow in the State
