Snowfall graced the peak of Hawaii’s tallest mountain, Mauna Kea, this week, turning the typically tropical island’s summit into a brief winter scene. About 2 inches of snow coated the summit area of Mauna Kea on the Big Island, drawing attention to this unique weather occurrence.

Although Hawaii is renowned for its warm beaches, rainforests, and mild climate, snowfall is not unheard of on Mauna Kea, especially in the winter months when precipitation combines with lower temperatures. The mountain’s summit rises to a high altitude of 13,803 feet above sea level, where temperatures frequently dip below freezing, making snowfall possible at any time of the year.

This week, an upper atmospheric disturbance brought a spell of colder weather along with moisture, arriving from the east and moving over the islands between Sunday and Monday, according to senior meteorologist Maureen Ballard from the National Weather Service in Honolulu. She explained, “When cold temperatures and moisture coincide below freezing, the result is snow.”

The Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope’s webcams captured images of snow blanketing the ground shortly after sunrise on Monday. However, by Wednesday, the white layer had already melted.

While no one resides on the mountain’s summit, Mauna Kea holds cultural significance for Native Hawaiians, who regard it as sacred. Stories passed down through generations describe Mauna Kea as the firstborn son of the sky father and earth mother.

Additionally, Mauna Kea’s high altitude, low light pollution, and dry atmosphere create ideal conditions for astronomical observation. The summit hosts nearly a dozen telescopes that have led to groundbreaking discoveries, including Nobel Prize-winning work and some of the first imagery of planets beyond our solar system.