Hawaii snowing
Heavy snowfall turned Hawaii’s tallest mountain, Mauna Kea, into a brief winter wonderland this week with about 2 inches falling at the peak. This unusual weather pattern brought just a hint of winter to an island far better known for warm beaches and tropical rainforests.
Though famous for its sunny climate, snow is not unknown at the high elevations of Mauna Kea, especially during the winter months. At a height of 13,803 feet above sea level, the summit temperatures are low enough to allow snow most any time of the year.
The snowfall this week was caused when an upper-level disturbance brought in cooler air, along with moisture that was carried over the islands from Sunday through Monday, said Maureen Ballard, a senior meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Honolulu. “Anytime temperatures go below freezing and there is moisture, snow can occur,” Ballard said.
Webcams at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope showed the snowy scene early Monday, with the mountaintop dusted in white. By Wednesday, it was gone.
The summit of Mauna Kea is indeed a sacred place, according to the Native Hawaiians. This mountain, according to the ancient traditions, is the firstborn child of the sky father and the earth mother and is thus culturally important. In fact, with its cultural value, Mauna Kea’s elevation, low light pollution, and dry atmosphere make it an ideal spot on Earth for stargazing and astronomical research. The summit currently hosts a dozen telescopes that have made groundbreaking discoveries, including some of the earliest images of planets beyond our solar system, contributing to Nobel Prize-winning work.