Just when you thought 2016 couldn’t get weirder, the National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning in the country’s most tropical state — Hawaii.
Some mountaintops on Hawaii’s Big Island have received more than two feet of snow, and are expected to pick up an additional foot on Sunday.
The snow is falling on two of the Big Island’s highest peaks: Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. The rain affecting the island is turning to snow at about an elevation of 8,000 feet. Per Storm Shield Meteorologist Jason Meyers, temperatures at highest points on the Big Island could drop to as low as 20 degrees, with wind gusting up to 20 mph.
According to the Weather Channel, it’s not uncommon for Hawaii to pick up snow cover in the winter. However, this current system is unique as the snow is falling about 1,000 lower than it typically does.
Closer to sea level, much of Hawaii is currently under a flash flood watch as rainfall is expected early next week.
Current view on top of Mauna Kea, HAWAII!
Weekend blizzard that could bring 30 inches of snow! More @ https://t.co/w0Ie75yoZJ pic.twitter.com/CYmXdcywF0— Jesse Ferrell (@Accu_Jesse) December 3, 2016
Alex Hider is a writer for the E.W. Scripps National Desk. Follow him on Twitter @alexhider.
