Winter snow blankets Hawaii's summits

"The snowy conditions were brought on by a storm system that developed over the Islands, known by local forecasters as a "Kona low," which lowered temperatures and brought several days of rain to the Islands. On Sunday, the National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for the island of Hawaii's summits. Although there are no official measurements, around 2 to 3 feet of snow fell, Will Ahue, a meteorologist at the weather service's Honolulu office, told SFGATE."

"To put it into context, Ahue explained that Maunakea's and Mauna Loa's summits are both near 14,000 feet, comparable to mountain peaks in Colorado and California that also receive snow. In Hawaii, he said, snow is most likely to fall on the summits of Maunakea and Mauna Loa, as they are higher than other Hawaii summits. The next highest peak, Maui's Haleakala, stands at roughly 10,000 feet, and it doesn't receive snow as often."

A Kona low formed over the Hawaiian Islands, lowering temperatures and producing several days of rain, snow, ice and fog at high elevations. Maunakea and Mauna Loa summits, both near 14,000 feet, were blanketed by roughly 2 to 3 feet of snow and experienced reduced visibility. The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for island of Hawaii summits, later downgraded to a winter weather advisory for elevations above 11,000 feet. Roads to the summit above the visitor center remain closed, webcams show some clearing, and observatory access is currently restricted. Haleakala at about 10,000 feet rarely receives similar snowfall.

Read at SFGATE