Rare Kona Low Brings Heavy Rain and Snow to Hawaii’s Volcano Summits

Just when many had packed away thoughts of winter weather, Hawaii offered a striking reminder that even the most tropical landscapes can face dramatic seasonal shifts. Beginning late last weekend, a robust weather system known as a Kona Low swept across the islands, soaking the state with heavy rain and unleashing snow and ice atop the volcanic summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa — a scene that startled visitors and locals alike.

The storm’s fingerprints were evident from the longest beaches to the highest peaks. Across lower elevations, rain hammered roofs and saturated soils, with crews and residents watching flood watches and advisories take shape. But it was the transformation at high altitude that captured global attention: snow began accumulating on Hawai’i’s tallest mountains, blanketing the barren, jagged terrain in a rare winter mantle.

At nearly **14,000 feet above sea level**, Mauna Kea is one of the state’s most iconic summits. Under the influence of the Kona Low, that towering peak — typically a site for some of the world’s most powerful telescopes — saw **8 to 10 inches of snowfall on Monday**, leaving roads impassable and visibility near zero in places. Roads were closed as crews with snow blowers and plows struggled through icy drifts to keep at least some of the volcano’s access routes clear.

The National Weather Service had placed the high terrain under a Winter Storm Warning for snow and ice — an advisory rarely associated with a place better known for warm sunshine and surf. According to forecast data, snow accumulations of 5 to 10 inches were possible at elevations above 11,000 feet. Add to that strong winds capable of whipping snow into near–whiteout conditions, and travel to the summits was judged “very difficult to impossible” during the storm’s peak.

What may seem almost surreal to outsiders is less unprecedented to meteorologists who study Hawaiian weather patterns. Kona Lows — seasonal low-pressure systems that form off the leeward (kona) side of the islands — can produce a wide range of severe weather, from flooding rains to high winds and, at upper elevations, winter snow.

Still, the juxtaposition of pounding rain at sea level with snow at the top of dormant volcanoes underscores the dramatic climatic contrasts that define the region. Even as torrential downpours soaked cities and countryside alike, the summits — where temperatures plunge well below freezing — transformed into a “winter wonderland” that seemed almost out of place amid palm trees and sunny beaches just a few miles away.

On Monday and into Tuesday morning, officials reminded residents and visitors of the hazards. Heavy rain at lower elevations raised the risk of flash flooding and landslides on windward and mountainous slopes. Flood watches remained in effect across wide swaths of the islands, particularly where saturated ground could contribute to rising streams and clogged drainage systems.

Meanwhile, the heavy precipitation and strong winds driving that rain also contributed moisture to the higher altitudes, where it fell as snow. Summit roadways, already steep and rugged, became slick with ice and snow, prompting advisories against unnecessary travel. Visibility dropped drastically at times, creating dangerous conditions even for experienced mountain drivers.

For observatory staff at Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa — accustomed to winter snow, but rarely in this abundance — operations were disrupted. The weight of the snow and buildup of rime ice on equipment and access roads made scientific work difficult and hazardous, forcing temporary suspensions of some activities until conditions improve.

At lower elevations, the contrast with tropical life was stark but equally impactful. Residents reported heavier-than-usual rainfall, with localized flooding prompting caution in urban areas. Southeast to south-facing slopes on the Big Island and Maui saw particularly intense rain bands, as moist winds funneled upward into mountainous terrain.

Coastal communities were not spared either. Swells grew along exposed shorelines, leading to elevated surf and advisories for small craft. While snow makes headlines, it’s this multifaceted weather system — rain, wind, waves, and ice — that truly reveals the complexity of a Kona Low’s influence.

By Wednesday, the system was expected to weaken and shift westward, allowing conditions to gradually stabilize. However, the dramatic snapshot it provided — rain at sea level, snow at summit, and flooding and wind concerns in between — is a reminder that Hawaii’s weather is as varied as its landscape.

For travelers and longtime residents alike, the storm serves as a spectacular, if sobering, reminder: even paradise can have a fierce winter side.