Four More Inches of Snow in Forecast for Big Island Summits

University of Hawaiʻi Institute for Astronomy. Mauna Kea summit webcam.

A winter storm warning remains in effect for the Big Island Summits through 6 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020.

The National Weather Service says “Deep moisture brought in by the strong trade winds will combine with sub-freezing temperatures to produce periods of wintry weather, including heavy snowfall over the Big Island summits.”

The NWS is forecasting heavy snow and patchy ice with additional snow accumulations of up to 4 inches, mainly above 12,000 foot elevation.

“Snow, patchy black ice, and thick fog will make for very dangerous driving conditions, with visibility near zero at times,” according to the NWS.

Both the road to the summit and the campground at Mauna Loa is closed.

A Winter Storm Warning means significant amounts of snow, sleet, and ice are expected or occurring. Any travel plans to the summits should be postponed until the threat of winter weather diminishes.