Moisture and sub-freezing temperatures brought a wintry mix of snow and rain to Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa summits, causing delight along with danger and a road closure today.
The Mauna Kea Access Road is closed at the Visitor Information Station.
“It’s snowing and lightning at the Visitor Information Station and snow is accumulating on the summit road,” rangers said in a message posted at 7:09 a.m. today. “The road below the Visitor Information Station is slippery and dangerous.”
This road is typically closed when the pavement has ice or snow, the morning after a snowfall, and while snow removal equipment is in operation.
Mauna Kea rangers anticipated road crews will be plowing the summit later this morning. They advised motorists to use extreme caution when ascending from Saddle Road to the Visitor Information Station.
The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a winter storm warning until 6 a.m. Monday for Big Island upper slopes and summits. Hazards include freezing rain and black ice.
“A winter storm warning means significant amounts of snow, sleet and ice are expected or occurring. Strong winds are also possible. This will make travel very hazardous or impossible,” according to the National Weather Service.
Call 935-6268 to get the latest public road conditions and snow report. For more information, visit prh.noaa.gov/hnl or mkwc.ifa.hawaii.edu.