Winter Storm Warning Issued for Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa Summits

Heavy snow and strong winds expected above 12,000 feet on the Big Island

Mar. 22, 2026 at 6:07am

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The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa on the Big Island of Hawaii. The storm is expected to bring heavy snow accumulations of up to 10 inches and wind gusts as high as 70 mph, making travel to the summits extremely dangerous. The Maunakea Access Road remains closed at the 9,200-foot level due to previous storm damage, and will stay shut until repairs are completed and conditions improve.

Why it matters

The severe winter weather poses a serious threat to anyone attempting to access the Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa summits, which are home to some of the world's most important astronomical observatories. The storms have already caused significant damage to the access road, underscoring the need for caution and preparedness when dealing with Hawaii's unpredictable mountain weather.

The details

According to the National Weather Service, the winter storm is expected to bring heavy snow, strong winds, and periods of zero visibility to the summits starting Saturday night and lasting through Sunday afternoon. Travel to the summits is strongly discouraged due to the hazardous conditions. The Maunakea Access Road has been closed at the 9,200-foot level since last weekend after the first kona low storm caused extensive damage, and it will remain shut until repairs are completed and the weather improves.

  • The winter storm warning is in effect from Saturday night through 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 22.
  • The Maunakea Access Road has been closed at the 9,200-foot level since last weekend and is expected to remain shut until at least this week.

The players

National Weather Service

The federal agency responsible for weather forecasting and issuing weather warnings in the United States.

Maunakea Weather Center

A weather research and monitoring center operated by the University of Hawaii at Hilo, which provides real-time weather data for the Mauna Kea summit.

Maunakea Visitor Information Station

A visitor center located at the 9,200-foot level of Maunakea Access Road, which has reported on the road closure and ongoing repair efforts.

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What’s next

Road crews will continue working to repair the Maunakea Access Road as weather permits, with the goal of reopening the road to the public once it is deemed safe.

The takeaway

The severe winter weather on Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa underscores the importance of preparedness and caution when accessing Hawaii's high-altitude mountain environments, which can experience rapidly changing and hazardous conditions. The closure of the Maunakea Access Road also highlights the need for ongoing maintenance and infrastructure investment to ensure safe public access to these important scientific and cultural sites.