© NOAAThere is some visibility on Mauna Loa.
Mauna Kea rangers report blizzard conditions have shut down the road to the summit of the mountain. Poor weather is forecast for the next several days. Webcams have been blinded by the white out.
The summit of Mauna Loa is also closed. The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park says the area is off limits for backcountry use due to the continued winter storm conditions.
A high wind warning is in effect for both summits until 6 p.m., reports the National Weather Service. Southwest winds are blowing 45 to 70 mph with localized gusts over 105 mph.
A winter weather advisory is also in effect, with an additional 1 inch of snowfall expected at elevations above 12,500 feet.
There has been constant snow on the summits over the last week. On Saturday, the harsh weather took a break long enough for island residents to drive up to the summit.
A wind and snow swept shot on the summit by Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope, one of the few webcams not completely covered by ice on Monday.
My neighbors and I have been discussing how cold it’s been all over the mainland — and feeling grateful we don’t have to endure all the snow, ice, floods, mudslides, power outages, freeway car pileups, & sinkholes which we’ve seen on the news for the past several months.
However, this last week we got hit with a cold weather front — and now we’re wrapped up in blankets whenever we go outside for a cigarette break on the front porch. And we live near the ocean where it’s much warmer than upcountry — but we can see the snow on the summits when the clouds clear.
We’ve had less rain and lots of hot weather this winter. I kept saying, “Wow! This is the middle of winter — there’s been very little rain — and it’s so hot, what’s it going to be like when spring & summer arrive?”
Now winter has arrived — with a vengeance — and windows & doors are shut and we’re all wanting to remain in bed under our comforters. LOL
Most homes here don’t have heating. We so rarely need it.
I finally broke down and bought some UGG boots. I’d left my boots with my sister in California before moving here — thinking I wouldn’t need them in the tropics. So much for paradise. Boo.
Welcome to the coming Ice Age. Brrrrrr!