honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 4:09 p.m., Thursday, December 11, 2008

Storm will bring snow to Mauna Kea

Advertiser Staff

The National Weather Service is predicting 3 to 5 inches of heavy, wet snow across the Big Island summits of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea tonight as the storm that drenched the Islands today tracks east across the state.

Hawai'i County received a light sprinkling during the day, but by 4 p.m. moderate rain was reported over the Kona slopes and the Ka'u District, near Na'alehu, with rain falling at a rate of up to a half-inch per hour, according to the weather service.

More rain was expected over the south and west slopes.

Maui County received a drenching but escaped any major flooding or weather-related problems, according to the county Civil Defense Agency.

However, the weather service warned that the greatest threat of flooding rains tonight was over Maui County.

The county closed the Waiehu Golf Course at 11 a.m. because of flooding, while the state closed 'Iao Valley State Park, Haleki'i-Pihana heiau and Makena State Park.

Officials said the golf course and parks will reopen as conditions allow.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources was recommending against camping at Wai'anapanapa State Park in Hana and Polipoli State Park in Kula because of high winds and potential rain.