Snowfall on Hawaii’s tallest peak, Mauna Kea, turned the mountaintop into a winter wonderland with about 2 inches of white powder this week. Despite Hawaii’s reputation for warm weather, beaches, and rainforests, snow is not uncommon at the higher elevations of Mauna Kea during the wetter, winter months. With a summit sitting 13,803 feet above sea level, temperatures can drop below freezing year-round, allowing for snow at any time. An upper level disturbance brought colder temperatures and moisture from the east to the islands, resulting in the recent snowfall. Webcams showed the ground covered in white on Monday, but the snow had melted by two days later.
Mauna Kea’s summit is uninhabited and is considered sacred by many Native Hawaiians. The mountain’s limited light pollution and dry atmosphere make it one of the best places in the world for stargazing. About a dozen telescopes are located at the summit, leading to groundbreaking astronomical discoveries and the capture of some of the first images of planets outside our solar system. Overall, the snowfall on Mauna Kea this week added a touch of winter magic to the island’s typically tropical landscape, showcasing the diverse climate and unique natural beauty of Hawaii.
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