Big Island under a BLIZZARD warning

[DoomsDave]

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/12/03/hawaii-blizzard-warning-weather/8850338002/

Wow, this seems crazy; though I suspect, on reflection it might be more common than many realize.

Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea are both quite big and Hawaii is in the cool tropics.

[Xerarch]

Yeah the headline is pretty sensational, but my understanding is that the tallest mountains in Hawaii get at least a little snow almost every year. But 12 inches is a sizeable snowstorm anywhere.

[Dypsisdean]

At almost 14,000 ft it isn't that uncommon for winter snows on the summits. But this storm looks to be shaping up for one of the stronger ones - especially for the Big Island. However, predictions can be "iffy."

It is fun to see the contrast. Here you can see the observatories atop Mauna Kea.

[teddytn]

@DoomsDave Cool article! The thing that stood out the most was the all time low of 12 f!!! The one time I visited I definitely remember the flora and weather changing dramatically as you gained elevation. 

[Silas_Sancona]

As mentioned, Not that unusual to see Snow / and blizzard conditions at 13K ft, even in Hawaii.. What is unusual is that Hawaii is the only spot in the U.S. so far this winter to have had a blizzard warning issued.. -Lack - of Blizzard advisory stats for parts of the Midwest U.S. are kind of attention getting though.
 

 

[Darold Petty]

Ski in  the the morning,  surf in the afternoon !     (Actually I have done neither, LOL !)

[Tracy]

  On 12/6/2021 at 4:48 AM, Darold Petty said:

Ski in  the the morning,  surf in the afternoon !     (Actually I have done neither, LOL !)

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Flip the order and switch out snowboard for ski, and I can say yes, done both in the same day starting at home and driving (not flying) to snowboard in the same day.  It is a treat to have diverse climates so close in proximity.

[Butch]

I have a buddy that was excited about going to Hawaii to do some construction work.... Until he found out it was at the observatory at Mauna Kea... Instead of swimming trunks he had to take arctic gear....

Butch