The peaks of Hawaii’s Big Island now have a Blizzard Warning through Monday morning. Conditions will be extreme, but it turns out that this tropical paradise gets blizzards more often than you might think.

Since the Big Island’s peaks rise more than 13,000 feet above the sea, they’re still prone to winter weather.

Blizzard Warnings are in effect for the summits through Monday morning, on top of what has already fallen, more snowfall Sunday through Monday morning could reach up to eight inches. The wind will be severe, with gusts over 100 miles per hour. These factors will combine to produce significant blowing and drifting snow, as well as reduced visibility.

According to the National Park Service, The summit on Mauna Loa was temporarily closed on Tuesday night due to high winds and winter weather conditions, Mauna Kea was also capped in snow, earlier this week. The Mauna Kea Weather Center has several live cameras feeds you can access to see if the summit is covered in snow.

A blizzard warning is in effect for Hawaii as the lower 48 contends with a snow droughthttps://t.co/G2bpNjDG1g

— David Brown (@IntlMktEntry) December 5, 2021

The forecast stated, “For the Big Island summits, the Blizzard Warning remains in effect as intense mid-level winds associated with the developing low continue. Moisture will be sufficiently deep during this time to bring periods of heavy snowfall.”

The forecast noted that the entire island chain will be buffeted by the strong storm, which will bring wind and rain to all parts of the state.

Hawaii Blizzard: Summit view of Mauna Kea time lapse throughout Saturday #Snow #HIWX @KITV4 pic.twitter.com/iWeLiMJrGM

— Tom George (@TheTomGeorge) December 5, 2021

The National Weather Service reported, “On Maui, a High Wind Warning remains in effect for the Haleakala Summit after National Park personnel reported winds near 90 mph leading to a closure of the Summit.”

Warnings of floods from rain and melting snow were posted through Wednesday.

Rare blizzard warning in Hawaii as up to 12 inches of snow expected https://t.co/0fSdYFiff4 pic.twitter.com/QwuwFUT7Ya

— New York Post (@nypost) December 3, 2021

The Weather Service stated, “These rainfall rates for long durations combined with rivers and streams quickly rising will support the potential for catastrophic flooding.”

The forecast said, “In addition to the threat of flash flooding, thunderstorms capable of generating strong straight-line winds will become a possibility, especially Monday through Tuesday.”

This incredible timelapse footage shows a snow storm moving in across a volcano summit in Hawaii.
The National Weather Service issued a rare blizzard warning for the area, expecting at least 12 inches of snow and 100mph wind gusts over the Big Island summits. pic.twitter.com/oTQvzoer6v

— BBC Weather (@bbcweather) December 4, 2021

According to CNN, Because of their height, snow often appears on Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. Hawaii has had blizzard warnings before, but the last one was more than three years ago.

Sources: Westernjournal, Nypost, Edition.cnn