Historic storm brings unprecedented snowfall to Hawaii

Feb 13 2019, 2:51 am

In case you’re living in a box with no windows, Canada is currently being pummelled by a snowmageddon.

From Toronto’s winter storm watch to absolute snowfall mayhem in Vancouver, Canadians from coast to coast are facing a winter wonderland.

It’s situations like this that lead to the first question Canadians get asked by other travellers: “So it snows a lot there, right?”

Normally we can find solace in planning a winter getaway to somewhere tropical (like this absolute dreamland), but right now, all rules are out the window because even typically warm weather spots are experiencing snow, from Vegas to California to the Grand Canyon.

An extremely low pressure centre passing over Hawaii last weekend has resulted in a rare occurrence we never thought was possible. Officials are even calling it “uncharted territory”.

The tropical island of Maui has experienced snow, in what may be the lowest-ever recorded snowfall in the state.

Snow is not uncommon on the Big Island of Hawaii, where volcanic summits such as Mauna Kea and Loa measure up to 4,205 and 4,169 metres respectively. You can even ski there if you time it right!

While Maui is typically visited for its beautiful beaches and warm weather, there has even been a past recording of snow on this island in 1952.


However, the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) has shared that this recent snowfall may have broken a new record.

“The DLNR Division of State Parks reports that for perhaps the first time ever, snow has fallen in a Hawai‘i State Park,” the DLNR posted on Facebook. “Polipoli State Park on Maui is blanketed with snow. It could also be the lowest elevation snow ever recorded in the state. Polipoli is at 6200 feet elevation.”

You might want to pack some parkas in with your bikinis! Happy vacationing, friends!

Kellie PaxianKellie Paxian

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