Does It Snow in Hawaii? Exploring the Snowy Mountain Peaks of the Aloha State

Snow. Hawaii. In the same sentence? Come on now, you are joking, right?

Actually, I’m not, as snow and Hawaii do go together, especially during the rainy season which runs from October through April. Storms need cold temperatures to produce snow rather than rain, and that is exactly what is found at Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa on the Big Island, and high atop Haleakala on Maui. Though the snow usually melts within a few days, it is an amazing sight to see.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of snow in Hawaii came from the James Cook expedition in 1778. Explorers spoke of seeing snow on Mauna Kea at the time, and in later years other explorers and Christian missionaries made historical notes of snow on Mauna Loa, too. Some years there is little snow, while others have been known for numerous snowfalls during a single rainy season. Wind gusts as high as 120 miles per hour have also been officially recorded.

Mauna Kea

With its summit at 13,803 above sea level, Mauna Kea is the most likely mountain to receive the glistening white powder that many travelers have come to the Aloha State to escape from. Thankfully, it can still be comfortably warm at the beach and cold enough to snow at high elevations, so don’t hesitate to book your wintry weather getaway even in the heart of winter.

“White Mountain”, as it is often called by locals, has temperatures below freezing quite regularly given the altitude. Avid skiers and snowboarders have been known to come here after several inches have fallen just to say that they have skied in Hawaii. There aren’t any ski lifts here, so a ride back to the top is needed after each run. You can drive up during the summer months to cool down, with highs ranging from 30 to 60.

It's super important to be aware that the air pressure at 13,000 feet, or even 10,000 feet, is much less than at sea level. Some people may have difficulty breathing way up high, especially those who are older or not in good physical health to begin with. It doesn’t take much to feel altitude sickness, so be prepared to head back down the mountain if you aren’t feeling exactly right. Should you plan to ski, or snowboard remember that there are no ski trails here, and it is common to run out of snow during a run, ending up on lava rocks. In other words, don’t bring your best equipment to use here.

Hawaii Fun Fact: Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano, is the world’s tallest mountain from the base to summit, as the mountain continues almost 20,000 feet below sea level!

Mauna Loa

Almost as tall as Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa’s massive land area encompasses 51 percent of the Big Island, reaching its peak at 13,681 feet high above the Pacific Ocean. Stronger high-altitude wind speeds occur during the winter, which is what is needed along with ample moisture to create snow here. Considered an active volcanic mountain, Mauna Loa is an incredible 75 miles long and 64 miles wide. It last erupted in 1984, startling the residents of Kailua-Kona which is within reach of thousands of homes, hotels, and retail areas.

Haleakala

It isn’t unheard of for the snow level to drop as low as 8,000 feet when a pool of deep low pressure passes through the islands. This is when Haleakala joins the fun, with snow falling higher up on the 10,023 foot mountain. When strong moist winter winds are prevailing from southwest to northeast, the “Pineapple Express” can produce winds in excess of 100 miles per hour.

Haleakala receives less snow than the Big Island’s mountains, but it does offer a hiking trail that is nearly at the very top, well within the snow-prone areas. Translated to mean “House of the Sun”, no visit to Maui is complete without being on the mountaintop at sunrise. This otherworldly experience will stay with you for a lifetime.

Hawaii’s “Pineapple Express”

When strong winter storms are prevalent rushing from southwest to northeast, the “Pineapple Express” can produce winds in excess of 100 miles per hour. Not only will these winds rush up the volcanic slopes of the tallest mountains creating rain and snow, but it also expedites the progression of powerful storms that begin near Hawaii and travel to California and the Pacific Northwest.

It may sound odd, but winter storm and even blizzard warnings are commonly issued for the higher elevations of Maui and the Big Island during the snowy season. The weather can be quite extreme when the Pineapple Express is roaring.

Keep in mind, again, that any snow in Hawaii is quite isolated, falling only on the tallest mountains at high elevations. The mountains of Oahu and Kauai are lower and only receive rain. Hawaii’s year-round warm, comfortable temperatures are just that, year-round. While snow up high may sometimes translate to rain at lower elevations, it is infrequent that a day in Hawaii is a total washout.

If you do plan to visit the Big Island or Maui during the cold/rainy weather months, we highly recommend taking a drive to see and play in the snow if a storm passes through while you are there. A Hawaii snowfall is a magical photo opportunity for Instagram or Tik Tok, but you will need a four-wheel drive vehicle to get there. Also be sure to bring along sunglasses, a warm weather hat, and apply sunscreen before setting out. It isn’t hard to get a sunburn from the strong sun, especially at high altitude.

Snowfall is more likely at Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa than on Maui given the taller mountains, and it’s possible for there to be some of the white stuff during the summer months. But rest assured, it never snows at lower elevations anywhere in the Aloha State. The spectacular sandy beaches, palm trees waving in the breeze, shimmering blue waters, and unequaled scenery are for real.

Record Hawaii Snowstorms

What are the current weather conditions?

The University of Hawaii’s Institute of Astronomy maintains up-to-the-minute weather information for Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, and Haleakala. Before you go, check out the temperature, winds, visibility, weather conditions, and ascertain that the road to the top of Mauna Kea, in particular, is open to visitors. This is also the site to obtain the current forecast for the entire state of Hawaii.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Most of Hawaii’s snow is confined to the four volcanic mountains on the Big Island – Kilauea, Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea, and Hualalai – and Haleakala on Maui, but it can snow elsewhere from time to time. Whether you like snow or not, we all know that no one travels to Hawaii for winter weather. We look at the possibility of seeing snowcapped peaks during a tropical vacation as another benefit of the destination. You can view the snow from afar or choose to embrace it with a visit to a snowcapped peak. No matter what you decide, the breathtaking Aloha State is in our estimation one of the best destinations to get away from it all.