Snow on Mauna Kea

[TomK]

The summit road was finally opened to everyone this afternoon. The road crew worked overnight to help make this happen. Enjoy!

[Guest]

Has most of the snow melted from the summit of Maunakea? Always enjoy pictures. Maunakea certainly has been beautiful lately, great to see her getting some recognition and respect again. Maybe that small group who won't allow my ski resort and fine dining restaurant at the top has gotten larger? Anyone know how much the adventure and tour companies are charging to visit our summit? Maybe kamaaina prices are offered to local residents or families?. Those vans i see regularly heading up look really nice, new, and clean. They probably are not cheap!.

[leilanidude]

http://mkwc.ifa.hawaii.edu/current/cams/...mode=multi

Have a look for yourself. Current pictures.

[Carey]

Yesterday she still had some of the snow lines (look like claw marks to me...) on the ENE side (towards Keaau town...)

Here is a photo of the snow from Sat 4/18 on Saddle Rd:
https://www.dropbox.com/sc/z2ecn2tte8ci1...Cper3KeC4a

ETA:Oh, I think it is over $100 for a tour, but sometimes people will go up to the Visitor Center & see if they can hitch a ride up further...
I know that every time I am in our pickup, we fill 'em up with folks, both from near & far! always fun to exchange snacks & tales on the way up & on the way down!

@xETA: Image folder from last month:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/zxf4bgjqa8gs5...I_59a?dl=0

As to sun angle & snow, the sun is close to directly overhead (mid May) & is actually beyond overhead (North of directly overhead) on the Summer Solstice... & snow has been on Mauna Kea most every month...I think it is more the summit temp & high cloud storm fronts that bring upper elev precip...but do not quote me on that...

[tada]

I heard one on of the morninng shows that the late snow in April in places like NY melt faster because the angle of the sun more direct that in January. Implications for Maunakeas[?]

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

late snow in April in places like NY melt faster because the angle of the sun more direct that in January. Implications for Maunakeas


The ground is also frozen in January in places like NY, sometimes several feet into the earth. Soil is relatively warm in April, which allows the snow on top to melt from top and bottom. Not sure how this can compare to snow on Mauna Kea in any way.