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Winter In Paradise: Hawaii Experiences Blanket Of Snow Just Days Before Halloween

Aerial view of a snowy area in Hawaii

Hawaii is such a beautiful place. There is so much to experience, and the stunning views there are sure to leave you speechless. But when you imagine the scenic views on this beloved island, you likely don’t picture there being any snow. If that is the case, you are certainly not the only one. The average temperature in Hawaii, even in the winter, is around 78 degrees, after all.

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That said, just days leading up to Halloween, a portion of the state saw snow fall to the ground. That portion is on the Big Island. More specifically, a volcano called Mauna Kea. This dormant volcano has an elevation of about 13,800 feet. Plus, it is a fantastic (and challenging) place for folks to hike. So, when snow started to fall on October 27, it did not take long for the nearby roads to close.

View of a snowy area on Mauna Kea in Hawaii. A road is dusted covered in snow and ice and the mountains in the distance are nearly impossible to see through fog and snow
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The need to close this popular spot may have been disappointing, but the view of the snowy mountains made up for it. The Maunakea Visitor Information Station shared lots of beautiful images on their social media page, prompting folks from all over to admire them. Plus, it sparked conversations about the weather in Hawaii.

Snow in Hawaii!? It Happens More Often Than You Might Think!

“For real? It was almost 90 three weeks ago,” someone shares in reply to the Maunakea VIS’s photos. “I thought there was no real winter in Hawaii. We went to top of Summit.”

Aerial view of Mauna Kea in Hawaii. Snow covers the peaks and the surrounding ground
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Turns out, this snowy event is not at all a new or rare occurrence. As the highest point in Hawaii, Mauna Kea is known for seeing snow between the months of October and April. While the snow accumulation tends to be small, precipitation often freezes upon contact. This makes driving conditions dangerous. It’s a good thing we have so many photos to admire instead!

You can find the source of this story’s featured image here!

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