How far to the snow?

[TomK]

No problem, Obie! I think snowfall amounts would be almost impossible to measure in any meaningful way at the summit. Take last week's storm for instance. Lots of snow but 140mph winds meant very little actually fell. The whole summit area was covered in ice rather than snow (and still is).

[Mimosa]

For every inch of liquid rain = on average you get 1 foot of snow.
If windy,then blowing snow makes giant drifts ,very deep,that last all summer.

In the 1930s same same,deep deep snow lasting through to the next winter.in the drift prone area's.

For the last 20 to 30 years,seems like far less snow,some winters none at all.

In the early 1970s in parts of puna,54 inch's of rain over night,not 24 hour fall,more like in 8 hours,weather service said once in every 100 year rain.

Then in 99-00 we thinks,only a paltry 20 inchs rain in 24 hours.

I am sure some on here can correct us on the dates in recent past,as this is one evening our minds have a bit of help with the home brew.

[TomK]

Thanks, Mimosa, will respond soon with my own observations. My impression is that there is definitely a climate cycle up there but even over nearly 25 years working up there distinguishing long, mid and short-term effects is difficult.

[Mimosa]

Tom - we have a question for you.

Up on Maunakea is a depression that collects H2O.
In the 1940s we would take the kids and mountain goat jeep to where that lake / pond is.
It used to have very smooth deep thick ice,so we would have a family fun day and go ice skating after shoveling off the snow
How is that lake/pond doing?Still full to the brim with water ?
Other local families would also go there for ice skating FUN.

[TomK]

The lake almost dried up last year. Not a place you can skate on.

Not sure what state it is in right now, but it isn't quite as bad as it was. The problem is over the last five years or so there has been a drought at the summit.

Will try and provide a link or two over the weekend.

It's called 'Lake Waiau' by the way in case you want to do your own research.

[Mimosa]

lake waiau,thanks,we 4get dat.
the hard drive between the ears is a bit tanked on 60proof home brew beer tonight.

[TomK]

As promised:

An almost drained Lake Waiau in 2013:

http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch/view.php?id=201

According to this article, the lake was nearer normal levels last year:

http://westhawaiitoday.com/news/local-ne...lake-waiau

I'm unsure of the current status.

[TomK]

PS. The the road to the MK summit was opened early today. If you go up please be careful and strongly suggest staying a safe distance from from the observatories as ice is still being cleared and falling from the observatories. A large chunk of ice falling from atop an observatory can do an awful lot of damage to someone or their vehicle.

http://mkwc.ifa.hawaii.edu/current/road-conditions/

[TomK]

PPS. Full message from the above link. It'll be updated on Sunday:

Saturday, January 10, 2015 - 07:29 a.m.

Aloha,

The road to the summit of Maunakea will be opened to the public after 9:00 am today. The roadway is clear, however there are icy patches on the ground at the summit that have been coned off or otherwise blocked off. Please use extreme caution and avoid these areas altogether as they are slippery. The snow on the mountain is hard and thin in areas and may not be suitable for snow activities as rocks are protruding through the surface.
There is access to the portable toilets and they are usable.

Please stay away from the buildings on the summit due to snow and ice still falling at times off the roofs and domes of the telescope facilities.

The road to the mountain is usually open to the public,. however may be closed anytime any of the following conditions are present:

1. Sustained winds of 55 mph for an hour or gusts of 65 mph or higher;
2. Visibility less than 50 feet;
3. Any ice or snow on the roadway;
4. Any emergent condition that would make driving on the road hazardous.

Please be safe and enjoy the mountain responsibly.

Mahalo,
Maunakea Rangers

[Mimosa]

~~~ Sweet ~~~