Rain, wind and… snow? Tropical Storm Lala brings a wintry surprise to Hawaii
While snow on Hawaii’s mountains may sound unusual, it is not uncommon on Mauna Kea, especially given that the summit sits nearly 13,800 feet above sea level.
Tropical Storm Lala produces snow on summit of Mauna Kea
Tropical Storm Lala is bringing more than powerful winds and heavy rain to Hawaii. Snow is falling on the summit of Mauna Kea, where temperatures can drop below freezing due to the mountain’s nearly 14,000-foot elevation.
Tropical Storm Lala continues to slam Hawaii with damaging winds and rain, causing dangerous flooding across the region.
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However, as most residents brace for the storm’s impacts, some may not realize that Lala is bringing not only intense rainfall but snow, too.
Snow continued to fall on the summit of Mauna Kea Observatory.
(Center for Maunakea Stewardship Rangers / FOX Weather)
Meteorologists around the country took to social media to point out that the storm was producing snow on the summit of Mauna Kea.
"It's happening. Hurricane Lala is currently producing SNOW on the summit of Mauna Kea," FOX Weather's Greg Diamond said on X.
While snow on Hawaii’s mountains may sound unusual, it is not uncommon on Mauna Kea, especially given that the summit sits nearly 13,800 feet above sea level.
Snow coated the roads on Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano on Hawaii's Big Island.
(Derek Petrowski via Storyful / FOX Weather)
Temperatures at sea level are in the upper 70s, but the air gets significantly colder with elevation.
"A balloon launch from earlier today showed the air was cooling at approximately 5.5°C for every kilometer you go up," Diamond said.
With the summit sitting close to 14,000 feet above sea level, temperatures there can drop to near or below freezing.
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As Tropical Storm Lala moved near the Big Island of Hawaii, the storm brought feet of rainfall to parts of the island. Combined with the freezing temperatures at the summit, that moisture helped produce snow on Mauna Kea.
Snow covers Hawaii’s Mauna Kea Summit.
(Maunakea Visitor Information Station / FOX Weather)
According to the FOX Forecast Center, although the summit isn’t experiencing torrential rainfall, conditions can still be hazardous due to the elevation.
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The area has experienced wind gusts of more than 100 mph, while the storm’s heavy precipitation creates thick snow at the summit.
As conditions from Lala weaken throughout the day, snowfall on Mauna Kea is expected to subside.
Stay with FOX Weather as Tropical Storm Lala continues to impact Hawaii.