Sand, surf and … snow?
That’s the picture in Hawaii Sunday as it was facing a massive storm.
The big snows were predicted to hit Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii. The two volcanic mountains are each more than 13,000 feet above sea level.
As of early Sunday local time in Hawaii (the islands are in the Hawaii–Aleutian Time Zone, two hours behind Pacific Time), the National Weather Service was recording a temperature of 27 degrees at Manua Kea, with a wind whipping by at 51 miles per hour. Honolulu, meanwhile, was a balmy 67 degrees at the time.
Total snow accumulations of up to 12 inches or more was expected on Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea.
A blizzard warning is in effect for Hawaii as the lower 48 contends with a snow droughthttps://t.co/G2bpNjDG1g
— David Brown (@IntlMktEntry) December 5, 2021
Sunday’s National Weather Service forecast indicated those predictions were on track.
“For the Big Island summits, the Blizzard Warning remains in effect as intense mid-level winds associated with the developing low continue. Moisture will be sufficiently deep during this time to bring periods of heavy snowfall,” the forecast stated.
The forecast noted that the entire island chain will be buffeted by the strong storm, which will bring wind and rain to all parts of the state.
Hawaii Blizzard: Summit view of Mauna Kea time lapse throughout Saturday #Snow #HIWX @KITV4 pic.twitter.com/iWeLiMJrGM
— Tom George (@TheTomGeorge) December 5, 2021
“On Maui, a High Wind Warning remains in effect for the Haleakala Summit after National Park personnel reported winds near 90 mph leading to a closure of the Summit,” the National Weather Service reported.
Warnings of floods from rain and melting snow were posted through Wednesday.
Rare blizzard warning in Hawaii as up to 12 inches of snow expected https://t.co/0fSdYFiff4 pic.twitter.com/QwuwFUT7Ya
— New York Post (@nypost) December 3, 2021
“These rainfall rates for long durations combined with rivers and streams quickly rising will support the potential for catastrophic flooding,” the Weather Service said.
“In addition to the threat of flash flooding, thunderstorms capable of generating strong straight-line winds will become a possibility, especially Monday through Tuesday,” the forecast said.
This incredible timelapse footage shows a snow storm moving in across a volcano summit in Hawaii.
The National Weather Service issued a rare blizzard warning for the area, expecting at least 12 inches of snow and 100mph wind gusts over the Big Island summits. pic.twitter.com/oTQvzoer6v— BBC Weather (@bbcweather) December 4, 2021
Because of their height, snow often appears on Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. Hawaii has had blizzard warnings before, but the last one was more than three years ago, according to CNN.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.