Winter Storm Watch

Locations Affected

Mauna Kea, HI ∙ Island of Hawai‘i, HI ∙ Mauna Loa, HI

Headline

...WINTER STORM WATCH FOR BIG ISLAND SUMMITS ABOVE 12500 FEET...
.An upper low will enhance moisture over the Big Island and bring the potential for both freezing rain and snowfall.

Full Alert Message

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Honolulu HI 243 PM HST Mon Apr 6 2026 ...WINTER STORM WATCH FOR BIG ISLAND SUMMITS ABOVE 12500 FEET... .An upper low will enhance moisture over the Big Island and bring the potential for both freezing rain and snowfall. ...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY MORNING THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON... * WHAT...Freezing rain, significant ice accumulation and snowfall will all be possible. Total snow accumulations up 3 inches and ice accumulation up to a quarter inch possible. Winds could gust as high as 55 mph. * WHERE...Big Island Summits above 12,500 feet in elevation. * WHEN...From Wednesday morning through Friday afternoon. * IMPACTS...Ice accumulations and snow on roads from this storm will make travel to the summits very difficult to impossible. Snowfall may accumulate on top of ice. Visibility will be significantly reduced. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Winter Storm Watch means there is potential for significant snow or ice accumulations that may impact the summits. Anyone planning travel to the summits, including hikers and campers, should monitor the latest forecasts and consider postponing their trip until improved weather returns.

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