Snowstorm Closes Hawaii Volcano To Tourists

[norml]

Snowstorm Closes Hawaii Volcano To Tourists
Rare Event Causes Concern, Surprise

POSTED: 6:18 pm EST January 23, 2006
UPDATED: 6:44 pm EST January 23, 2006

MAUNA KEA, Hawaii -- Officials closed the summit of Hawaii's Mauna Kea volcano to the public after a snowstorm shut down access for the first time this winter season.

Clouds blanketed Hawaii's tallest peak this weekend. A blanket of snow forced everyone to evacuate, including park rangers.

(Check out the snow from Honolulu TV station KITV's Web cam on Mauna Kea)

"We've got to make sure and keep everybody healthy and safe on the summit. So, I'm closing it," Mauna Kea ranger Kimo Pihana said.

The heavy snowfall was a rare sight, even for those who are up there almost every day.


snip


http://www.clickondetroit.com/weather/6377419/detail.html

[FloridaPat]

1. Now there's a headline you don't see every century.

[electron_blue]

2. It not *that* unusual. I've heard of that road being shut down periodicall

sometimes even a few times a winter. Still, I agree - it's an eye-catching headline.

[Whoa_Nelly]

3. Look at this web cam shot!

From this site:

http://mkwc.ifa.hawaii.edu/current/cams/index.cgi?mode=multi

[IndianaGreen]

4. How normal is this?

The picture looks like Siberia.

[MuseRider]

5. I have been up there

and it is very cool! It looks almost like a moonscape. Just an outstanding trip up to the observatory.

The snow looks awesome.

[mike_c]

6. it's 4200 m-- it does snow up there. Here's an older pic...

from a Mauna Kea guide service: http://www.maunakea.com/. There are several snow shots there.

[dusmcj]

7. worth the trip

www.harpershawaii.com to get the 4WD you need to drive up - your standard rental contract for an econobox from Hilo or Kona is void if you drive on the access road. No I'm not affiliated.

aloha & mahalo! (from freakin sloppy NY)

[Cha]

8. Aloha, back at cha from

Freakin' sloppy New York! :)

I'm movin' to the Big Island in about 3 years so when I see something about it I read.

Snow's better than the Volcano erupting and burying houses.

[dusmcj]

14. wow - how bout open house for DUers

can we come over, huh huh huh ? We'll help you move, yeah that's it.

Wowee, I'm envious. Are you doing it in the straight world (like trading jobs and houses), or more nontraditionally ? Good luck with it however you do...

[Cha]

17. I would say very non-traditional..

my son bought some property there and is building me a retirement little grass shack.

Thanks for the good luck..I cannot wait but I will:7

[orwell]

9. Yeah...

...and its in the high 70's in Northern California at the end of January (the coldest time of year.)

Everything's just fine...

[mike_c]

11. yep-- it was a beauty of a day, wasn't it...?

'Bout time, though. I'm about to sprout mushrooms.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

10. It's not unusual. I'm way more freaked out about the NJ weather last week

I was in Hawaii this August. Even in August, the summit has temperatures around 40F, minus the windchill. We did a bike ride down from the top. They give you Columbia gear and ski gloves for the beginning of the trip. Mid-morning, you're at a lower elevation and riding wearing a tank-top & shorts.

They do get snow on some of those peaks. Some of that snow lasts until the summer. It's colder at high elevations.

[greyl]

12. 1. It's winter in Hawaii. 2. There are ski resorts on this mountain.

3. If you bring this up during an argument with a freeper about global warming/climate change, you're setting yourself up to look dumb and lose the argument. We don't want that, do we?

http://www.ultimateskiguide.com/maunakea.htm

[norml]

15. Well the article makes it sound like something out of the ordinary.

I thought it was worth posting.

[greyl]

16. "the article makes it sound like"?

While I understand where you're coming from, ie ""Did you ever think you'd see snow in Hawaii?" a reporter asked. "Wasn't really expecting to see snow in Hawaii," said Bob Nyman." I'm afraid I can't forgive you. :)

It's better to be skeptical of "how articles make things sound", I think.

[Jara sang]

13. I live on the Big Island. It's not unusual at all. Happens every year.

Even seen snow on Mauna Kea in June. Two 13,000+ ft. volcanoes. Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea. I've climbed Mauna Loa on a 4 day trek to the summit. The snow patches are a relief as there is no water and only catchment tanks at the two cabins, one at the summit and one on the approach at 10,000. What is strange was when a couple a years ago Maui got snow, tallest peak, Haleakala is at 10,000 ft that is pretty damn low for snow in Hawaii.