Snow fell on Hawaii’s tallest peak, Mauna Kea, this week, covering the summit with about 2 inches of white powder. Despite Hawaii’s reputation for warm weather and beaches, snow is not uncommon at the higher elevations of Mauna Kea during the wetter, winter months. The mountain’s summit sits 13,803 feet above sea level, with temperatures dropping below freezing year-round, creating the potential for snow at any time. An upper level disturbance brought colder temperatures and moisture to the area, resulting in the recent snowfall.
Webcams captured the snowy scene at the summit before it melted away just two days later. Mauna Kea’s summit is sacred to many Native Hawaiians, with ancient stories describing it as the first-born son of the sky father and earth mother. The mountain’s limited light pollution and dry atmosphere make it an ideal location for stargazing, leading to the construction of about a dozen telescopes on the summit. These telescopes have played a significant role in scientific discoveries, including Nobel Prize-winning research and the first images of planets outside our solar system.
Overall, Mauna Kea’s unique combination of snowfall, cultural significance, and astronomical research make it a truly special and fascinating location in Hawaii.
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