Winter Weather Advisory Extended for Haleakalā Summit

Update: 3:45 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020

A weakening cold core low will pass over the islands overnight, resulting in continued frigid temperatures at the summit of Haleakalā on Maui above 9,000 feet.

The National Weather Service says melting snow and ice will refreeze, and there will be a chance of additional freezing rain and snow showers overnight.

The NWS has extended a Winter Weather Advisory for the summit until 6 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020.

The Summit District of Haleakalā National Park will continue to remain closed through the early morning of Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020. All Sunrise Reservations for Feb. 12, 2020 are cancelled.

Updates from the National Weather Service indicate nighttime temperatures are expected to drop below freezing leading to the possibility of hazardous and icy conditions on roadways. Once conditions improve for visitor and staff safety, the Summit District of Haleakalā National Park will reopen.

The initial closure of the Summit District of Haleakalā National Park began on Tuesday at 1 p.m. due to power outages and winter weather conditions.

Update:  (10:57 a.m. 2.11.20) Haleakalā National Park Summit District Remains Closed

The Summit District of Haleakalā National Park remains closed due to power outages and visitor safety concerns. The entrance station gate on Haleakalā Highway is closed and vehicle traffic to the park will be turned away. Once conditions improve for visitor and staff safety, the Summit District of Haleakalā National Park will reopen. The Summit District of Haleakalā National Park closure first began yesterday at 1 p.m. due to power outages and winter weather conditions.

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A winter weather advisory has been extended until 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 11, for the Summit of Haleakalā on Maui as well as Mauna Loa and Maunakea summits on Hawaiʻi Island.

The National Weather Service says showers will likely continue to move over the islands today, leading to additional snow accumulations of up to two inches.  Roads are also slick in the area with ice accumulations of up to a quarter inch in the forecast.

The winter weather advisory is for elevations above the 8,500 foot level.

Meantime, the Summit District of Haleakalā National Park has been closed since 1 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 10, 2020 and will remain closed until further notice due to winter weather conditions and power outages. Due to these hazards, all sunrise reservations for today, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020 are cancelled.

Park workers confirmed that the road to the summit remained closed as of 3:30 a.m. today.

“We strongly advise people against traveling on Haleakalā Highway to the park as the gates to the park will be closed due to the winter weather conditions. Once conditions improve, and are safe for our staff and visitors, the Summit District of Haleakalā National Park will reopen,” said Superintendent Natalie Gates in an afternoon update.

Haleakalā Visitor Center. (2.10.20). PC: NPS.