Updated at 5:29 p.m., Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Blizzards expected on Hawaii's biggest mountains
Advertiser Staff
A blizzard warning was issued for the summit areas of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa this afternoon, with high winds of 50 to 70 mph predicted along with heavy snow showers that would limit visibility to "near zero" in the area, according to the National Weather Service.Up to 6 inches of snowfall was possible, with temperatures expected to fall into the 20s, the Weather Service said.
Elsewhere on the island, winds of 25 to 40 mph were expected along with some gusts over 60 mph.
Big Island Mayor Harry Kim said civil defense received reports of two homes damaged by wind yesterday.
One was in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates in Ka'u, and the other was an unconfirmed report of a roof blown off a home in a makai area of Kona. No further information was available about either incident, he said.
"We are concerned about the flash flood warnings," Kim said. "We are in a heavy rain situation potentially for the island of Hawai'i." The National Weather Service had issued a flash flood warning shortly before 3 p.m. as radar showed heavy rains over Kohala from Hawi to Kawaihae.
A flash flood warning means flooding is imminent or already occurring in streams, roads and low-lying areas.
The only Big Island school that announced last night it would be closed today was the Puna charter school called Hawaii Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Kim was planning another briefing on conditions around the island at 5 a.m. to help the state Department of Education decide whether to cancel classes at more schools.
"We'll just have to play it by ear," Kim said. "Us old-timers learn, you get the information and just play it by ear, and be prepared for the worst."
