Believe it or not, it snows in Hawaii every single year. While most people associate the islands with 80°F beaches, the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa are nearly 14,000 feet high, which is comparable to peaks in the Colorado Rockies. At these altitudes, temperatures frequently drop below freezing, and winter storms provide the moisture necessary for snow. On average, these peaks see snow multiple times throughout the winter months, typically between October and April.

Where Exactly Does the Snow Fall

Snow is almost exclusively limited to the three highest volcanic peaks in the state. Mauna Kea (13,803 ft) and Mauna Loa (13,678 ft) on the Big Island are the most frequent recipients, often staying snow capped for several days or weeks. Haleakalā on Maui (10,023 ft) also receives snow, but much less frequently usually only once every two to three years. It is physically impossible for it to snow at sea level in Hawaii; the record low in Honolulu is a mild 52°F.

What Causes These Tropical Blizzards

The primary driver of heavy Hawaiian snow is a weather phenomenon called a Kona Low. This is a seasonal low pressure system that develops during the winter when the typical trade winds are disrupted. These storms pull cold, moist air from the north and push it up the mountain slopes, where it freezes into snow. The most recent storm on January 5-6, 2026, was a classic Kona Low that brought pōhaku hau (snow rock) and dangerous ice to the summits.

The Impact of a Hawaii Snowstorm

When it snows in Hawaii, the impact is felt mostly by scientists and tourists. The access roads to the summits, which house some of the worlds most powerful telescopes, are often closed due to whiteout conditions and rime ice. Interestingly, locals sometimes drive up with pickup trucks after a storm to fill the truck beds with snow and bring it down to the coast for children to play with a true "only in Hawaii" experience where you can play with snow and go surfing on the same day.