Hows Your Weekend?
Hows Your Weekend? was Originally Posted on January 3, 2015 by lavarock
It started with the power going out in areas on my island. Sections of Oahu (hundreds of miles away) also lost power for a while. That was due to winds and rain.
Then the fun began.
You know that we moved here for the peace and quiet of island living. Some people expect warmth. Those in Puna (a southern section of this island) are waiting to see if their shopping center will be covered by lava (liquid rock from the volcano). They have been watching for months as this slowly moving river of 2000F degree molasses-type rock engulfs the land and heads towards them. Yes lava can flow like water, but this encroachment is not like that.
Then there is the cold. yes it gets cold and here at the house (950 feet above sea level) it goes into the 60’s (F) at night. That would not be a problem if this house had insulation in the walls, ceiling and floors.
Then there are the occasional blizzards. Yes blizzards. We had one just before Christmas and another one last night. Granted, I would have to drive about 2 hours to actually play in the snow, but you can see it from just north of the airport from sea-level.
Up on Mauna Kea (14,000+ feet altitude) there are observatories. They are closed today and the scientists are hundreds of feet below them in a warm dormitory. The road up to where they are is temporarily closed due to a tree, and between them and work there is the ice.
Here is the road report:
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Saturday, January 03, 2015 – 06:33 a.m.
Aloha,
The Maunakea Access Road is currently blocked and impassable due to fallen pine trees near the water reservoir. No vehicles are currently able to make it beyond this point in either direction.
The road to the summit of Maunakea also remains closed at the Visitor Station due to Hurricane force winds, heavy fog, rain and ice on the road. The National Weather Service has issued a Blizzard warning through 6pm tonight.
The winds are sustained in the 80 to 100 mph range with gusts as high as 130 MPH. Hawaii Island summits remain under a high wind warning through Saturday evening. The Maunakea forecast also calls for high winds into Tuesday. Because of this the summit road above the Visitor Station may remain closed into Tuesday, January 6th. Please check this site before you make the drive to Maunakea as this report will be updated when conditions change.
Happy New Year
The summit road is closed when hazardous conditions occur. Criteria for closing the road are:
1. Sustained winds at 55 mph for an hour or gusts in excess of 65 mph;
2. Any ice or snow on the roadway;
3. Visibility being less than 50 feet;
4. Any other exigent circumstance that would make the road hazardous.
Mahalo,
Maunakea Visitor Information Station
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On Monday I will be taking my chocolate Lab up to the north part of the island where I will be able to see any snow left on the summit. Until then, the webcams will have to do.