### Snow Transforms Hawaii’s Mauna Kea Summit into Winter Wonderland

**MAUNA KEA SUMMIT, Hawaii** - Hawaii's Mauna Kea summit experienced its first snowfall of the season, turning the peak into a picturesque winter scene. The Maunakea Visitor Information Station announced the arrival of winter on Sunday, showcasing images of the snow-clad roads at the pinnacle of the Big Island.

On Monday, October 28, Derek Petrowski captured footage of the snow falling at Mauna Kea, while crews undertook the arduous task of clearing the ice-laden roads surrounding the summit. The changing weather conditions had been prompted by colder temperatures sweeping into Hawaii early in the week, coupled with an upper-level weather system bringing increased moisture across the islands, according to the FOX Forecast Center.

The snowfall caused the closure of the road leading to the Mauna Kea Observatories for over a day, with teams diligently working to remove the snow and ice. The National Weather Service issued a snowfall warning on Monday, anticipating accumulations of up to 3 inches. They cautioned that travel could be highly challenging due to blowing snow significantly reducing visibility, at times leading to near-zero visibility.

Snow is a regular occurrence at Mauna Kea from October through April, highlighting the mountain's distinct climate. At an elevation of nearly 14,000 feet, the summit often endures freezing temperatures and substantial snowfall, presenting a stark contrast to the tropical weather experienced at lower altitudes on the Big Island of Hawaii.