05-08-2016, 07:51 PM
It's currently snowing on Mauna Kea even though humidity there is less than 50% and temperatures being a touch above freezing level. I doubt enough snow will fall to survive until dawn, but early risers might want to check the webcams:
http://mkwc.ifa.hawaii.edu/current/cams/
Basically, virga is precipitation from mid to high-level clouds that evaporates before it gets to ground-level. However, since the summit area of MK is so high, it can receive this type of precipitation.
It's nasty one for the observatories as the usual conditions that suggest snowfall are rarely met yet the snowfall can be significant.
http://mkwc.ifa.hawaii.edu/current/cams/
Basically, virga is precipitation from mid to high-level clouds that evaporates before it gets to ground-level. However, since the summit area of MK is so high, it can receive this type of precipitation.
It's nasty one for the observatories as the usual conditions that suggest snowfall are rarely met yet the snowfall can be significant.