Winter Storm Warning Issued for Big Island Summits; Up to 18 Inches of Snow and 110 MPH Gusts Expected
This alert is no longer in effect.
NOAA issued it on April 6, 2026, 4 months ago. Warnings of this kind stay in effect for hours to a few days, so this page is a historical record of what was issued, not a current warning. For conditions where you are right now, check weather.gov (US), weather.gc.ca (Canada), the Met Office (UK), or the Bureau of Meteorology (Australia).
Areazine synthesizes this NWS weather alert directly from NOAA's official public data feed. See our methodology for full source attribution and refresh cadence.
A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for the Big Island Summits above 12,000 feet through Saturday, with heavy snow and extreme winds forecast due to a powerful kona low.
Read this weather record in 30 seconds
- Record type
- Winter Storm Warning
- Affected area
- Big Island, Hawaii
- Issued
- April 6, 2026
- Issuing authority
- NWS Honolulu HI
Storm notices can cover different combinations of wind, hail, lightning, and rainfall. Use the original notice for the hazards and boundaries attached to this specific record.
Record status: historical. It was issued 4 months ago; use the issuing agency's live warning service for current conditions in Big Island, Hawaii.
Alert Details
The National Weather Service in Honolulu HI has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the Big Island Summits. The alert is driven by a powerful kona low located northwest of the state, which is expected to bring periods of heavy snow, thunderstorms, and high winds to the region.
Affected Areas
This warning specifically impacts the Big Island Summits at elevations above 12,000 feet.
What You Should Do
Travel to the summits is expected to be very hazardous or impossible. The National Weather Service advises that any travel plans to the summits should be postponed until the threat diminishes. Residents and visitors should prepare for significant amounts of snow, sleet, and ice.
Expected Conditions
- Snow Accumulation: Total accumulations of 12 to 18 inches are expected.
- Wind Speeds: Winds could gust as high as 110 mph.
- Visibility: Blowing snow will significantly reduce visibility, with periods of zero visibility and possible blizzard conditions.
- Additional Hazards: Thunderstorms are also possible during this weather event.
Timeline
The Winter Storm Warning is effective as of 2:36 PM HST on Thursday, March 12. The onset of conditions is expected at 4:00 PM HST on Thursday, and the warning is currently scheduled to remain in effect until 6:00 PM HST on Saturday, March 14.
Original source: NOAA Official Notice ↗
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