Snow Graces Haleakalā Summit on Maui

Haleakalā, Maui (7:22 a.m., 2.7.20). PC: IFA/PanSTARRS

HALEAKALA ROADS NOW OPEN: (12:27 p.m., Friday, Feb. 7, 2020)

The roads have fully reopened. The brief closure occurred between the Haleakala Visitor Center at 9,740 feet and the summit at 10,023 feet. Again, the roads to Haleakalā are now open after the NWS lifted the Winter Storm Warning that was in effect until noon.

WINTER STORM WARNING LIFTED: (12 p.m., Friday, Feb. 7, 2020)

The Winter Storm Warning for the summits of Mauna Loa and Maunakea on Hawaii Island and Haleakala on Maui were allowed to expire at noon today.  The National Weather Service says “the threat additional significant winter precipitation at higher elevations appears to be over.”

SNOW GRACES HALEAKALA (Previous Post):

As sun broke over the summit this morning, a blanket of newly fallen snow covered Maui’s highest peak. Accumulations of 1-3″ are in the forecast until noon today.

Snow and freezing rain fell over Haleakalā as the summit was added to a winter storm warning overnight.

The National Weather Service says blowing snow will significantly reduce visibility at times, with periods of zero visibility in the forecast.  Travel to the summit should be postponed until the threat diminishes.

Sources tell us that at around 11 p.m. last night they observed snow above the 8,000 foot elevation, but roads were icy and dangerous, prompting motorists to turn around out of safety.

Video from the summit showed a light dusting of snow already impacting the summit as of 3:30 p.m. on Thursday.

Maui last saw snow atop Haleakalā during a winter storm last year that forced the closure of the summit for at least six days.

A Winter Storm Warning is also in effect for the Big Island summits of Mauna Loa and Maunakea, with snow accumulations of up to six inches overnight.

HAWAII AREA SYNOPSIS ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE: “A cold front over the Big Island will move east of the area by this afternoon, with associated thick clouds and showers gradually clearing. Cool and gusty north winds following the frontal passage will deliver low clouds and showers to north facing coasts and slopes through tonight. Winds will remain locally breezy and generally out of the north through the weekend, keeping a chill in the air. Clouds and showers should diminish as they continue to move in from the north, while mostly sunny and dry conditions prevail leeward. Another round of unsettled weather is possible during the early to middle part of next week, with trade winds potentially returning toward the end of the week.”

Haleakalā snow. (2.7.20) Photo credit: Lyle Krannichfeld & Pueo Gallery,

Haleakalā, Maui (Morning of Friday, Feb. 7, 2020). Photo credit: Lyle Krannichfeld

Haleakalā snow. (2.7.20) Photo credit: Lyle Krannichfeld & Pueo Gallery,

Haleakalā, Maui. PC: Tua Havosi, 11 p.m. Feb. 6, 2020

PS1 Skycam at Haleakalā, Maui. (10:17 p.m. 2.6.20) PC: University of Hawai’i Institute for Astronomy.

PS1 Skycam at Haleakalā, Maui. (10:30 p.m. 2.6.20) PC: University of Hawai’i Institute for Astronomy.

PS1 Skycam at Haleakalā, Maui. (10:36 p.m. 2.6.20) PC: University of Hawai’i Institute for Astronomy.

Maunakea snow. PC: (2.6.20) Subaru catwalk, Maunakea Weather Center, UH Institute for Astronomy.