Hawaiian Blizzard – Yes You Heard It Right
What’s with the Hawaiian Blizzard?
Hawaii is a land of many wonders, from its world-famous beaches to its active volcanoes. But even in this tropical paradise, there’s something special happening this winter: a blizzard!
At the time of writing, the Big Island of Hawaii has issued Blizzard Warnings for the summits of Mauna Kea and Na Kasa.
Yes, you read that right. A blizzard is hitting Hawaii! But what’s causing it, and what can we expect from it?
The answer to both of those questions is the same: the El Niño weather phenomenon. El Niño is a climate pattern that occurs when warm water spreads along the equator in the Pacific Ocean. This extra warmth disrupts the normal air circulation patterns, which can lead to all sorts of weird and wild weather around the world.
In Hawaii, the El Niño weather pattern is causing warm, moist air to flow up from the tropics. This air is then meeting cold, dry air from the north, which is causing the blizzard.
The good news is that this Hawaiian Blizzard isn’t expected to last too long. The bad news is that it could cause some serious damage in the meantime. So far, the Hawaiian Blizzard has caused power outages, school closures, and widespread flooding.
So what can we expect from the rest of this blizzard? Well, according to the National Weather Service, snow levels could reach as high as 8,000 feet in some areas. That’s higher than Mount Kilimanjaro!
In addition to the snow, the blizzard is also bringing high winds and rain. So make sure you stay safe and warm this winter, Hawaii! The El Niño weather pattern is definitely living up to its reputation!
Is The Big Island Of Hawaii Getting Snow?
Yes, the Big Island of Hawaii is getting snow. The National Weather Service has issued Blizzard Warnings for the summits of Mauna Kea and Na Kasa.
How long will this blizzard last?
The blizzard is expected to last for a few days, but it could cause some serious damage in the meantime. So far, the blizzard has caused power outages, school closures, and widespread flooding.
HAWAII | Blizzard warnings are in effect for the mountain/volcano summits on the Big Island. Twelve or more inches of snow will be likely above 12,000 FT from Friday evening (Dec 3) thru Sunday morning (Dec 5) local time. Wind gusts over 100 MPH will also be possible. Lower elevation will get heavy rains this weekend.
A strong cold front is coming in from the north. Local forecasters call this storm system a Kona Low.
Snow is normal on top of the mountain summits. In fact Mauna Kea means “white mountain” in Hawaiian. This amount of snow with such powerful winds all at once is not unheard of, but it is a bit more rare. Smaller snows are normal on the mountain tops.
What’s causing this blizzard?
Honolulu experiences more than four millimeters of precipitation in its winter season, which runs through mid-December to mid-February.
How Often Are There Blizzard Warnings In Hawaii?
The El Niño weather pattern is causing warm, moist air to flow up from the tropics. This air is meeting cold, dry air from the north, which is causing the blizzard.
This is only the fourth time, I can recall, in history that a blizzard has been issued for Hawaii. The first time was 1999, and then in January of 2011. Hawaii was then dusted with 2-3 feet of snow during the month of January 2020.
Is A Blizzard In Hawaii Rare?
Yes, a blizzard in Hawaii is rare. The National Weather Service has only issued Blizzard Warnings for the summits of Mauna Kea and Na Kasa four times in history. The first time was in January of 1999. Check this video .
Where Is The Snow Storm In Hawaii?
As snow dropped on the peaks of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa in Hawaii’s first week of December 2021, a low-pressure system known as a Kona low formed northwest of Honolulu. The National Weather Service (NWS) in Honolulu categorized the storm as a blizzard for the summits of both Mauna Kea and Na Kasa on the Big Island.
The Kona low brought with it high winds and snow to parts of the state that don’t often see the white stuff, including Hawaii County, Maui County, and Kauai County. Oahu and Molokai saw rain and gusty conditions.
In preparation for the storm, the Department of Education announced that all public schools on the Big Island, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, and Kauai would be closed Thursday December 3 2021. The closures impacts over 183,000 students. Most private schools also announced closures.
Hawaii Electric Light Company reported that over 4,000 customers were without power on the Big Island due to the weather conditions.
The National Weather Service (NWS) in Honolulu has continued to issue warnings and updates as the storm progresses. You can find the latest information on their website.
What Is The Highest Point In Hawaii?
Mauna Kea is the highest point in Hawaii. It is a dormant volcano that reaches a height of 13,796 feet above sea level. Na Kasa is the second-highest point in Hawaii, reaching a height of 13,679 feet above sea level.
What Can I Expect From The Rest Of This Hawaiian Blizzard this year?
The National Weather Service says that snow levels could reach as high as 8,000 feet in some areas. In addition to the snow, the Hawaiian Blizzard is also bringing high winds and rain. So make sure you stay safe and warm this winter, Hawaii! The El Niño weather pattern is definitely living up to its reputation!
