Alert archive / Hawaii / Blizzard Warnings in 2021

Blizzard Warning 1, NWS Honolulu, HI

December 2, 2021Hawaii County, Hawaii

NWS Honolulu, HI issued this blizzard warning at Dec 2, 2021, 3:26 PM HST for Hawaii County, Hawaii. It took effect at Dec 3, 2021, 3:46 PM HST. It was in force for 60 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Dec 2, 2021, 3:26 PM HST (01:26 UTC)
In effect from
Dec 3, 2021, 3:46 PM HST
Expired
Dec 6, 2021, 3:24 AM HST
In force
60 hr
Issued by
NWS Honolulu, HI

County Hawaii County, HI

The radar

The South Shore radar (PHWA), 57 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 01:30 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

The nearest sounding before it

Hilo, (PITO), launched 00:00Z, 1.4 hours before the alert went out and 56 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Hilo, at 00:00Z on 2021-12-03Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 492 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Hilo, at 00:00Z on 2021-12-03The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 38 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
492 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-32 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
941 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
20 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
38 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
76 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

888 
WWHW40 PHFO 030126
WSWHFO

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Honolulu HI
326 PM HST Thu Dec 2 2021

...BLIZZARD WARNING FOR THE BIG ISLAND SUMMITS...

HIZ028-031430-
/O.UPG.PHFO.WS.A.0004.211204T0400Z-211205T1600Z/
/O.NEW.PHFO.BZ.W.0001.211204T0400Z-211205T1600Z/
Big Island Summits-
326 PM HST Thu Dec 2 2021

...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM FRIDAY TO 6 AM HST
SUNDAY...

* WHAT...Blizzard conditions expected. Total snow accumulations of
  up to 12 inches or more. Winds gusting over 100 mph.

* WHERE...Big Island Summits.

* WHEN...From 6 PM Friday to 6 AM HST Sunday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Blowing
  snow will significantly reduce visibility at times, with periods
  of zero visibility. See the High Wind Warning that is also in
  effect.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The strong winds will likely cause
  significant drifting of snow. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must
travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded,
stay with your vehicle. 

&&

$$

Burke
7 follow-up statements
892 
WWHW40 PHFO 031311
WSWHFO

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Honolulu HI
311 AM HST Fri Dec 3 2021

...BLIZZARD WARNING FOR THE BIG ISLAND SUMMITS...

HIZ028-040215-
/O.CON.PHFO.BZ.W.0001.211204T0400Z-211205T1600Z/
Big Island Summits-
311 AM HST Fri Dec 3 2021

...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO
6 AM HST SUNDAY...

* WHAT...Blizzard conditions expected. Total snow accumulations 
  of up to 12 inches or more. Winds gusting over 100 mph.

* WHERE...Big Island Summits.

* WHEN...From 6 PM this evening to 6 AM HST Sunday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. 
  Blowing snow will significantly reduce visibility at times, 
  with periods of zero visibility. See the High Wind Warning 
  that is also in effect.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The strong winds will likely cause
  significant drifting of snow. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must
travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded,
stay with your vehicle. 

&&

$$
474 
WWHW40 PHFO 040146
WSWHFO

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Honolulu HI
346 PM HST Fri Dec 3 2021

...BLIZZARD WARNING FOR THE BIG ISLAND SUMMITS...

HIZ028-041500-
/O.EXT.PHFO.BZ.W.0001.211204T0146Z-211205T1600Z/
Big Island Summits-
346 PM HST Fri Dec 3 2021

...BLIZZARD WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM HST SUNDAY...

* WHAT...Blizzard conditions expected. Total snow accumulations 
  of up to 12 inches or more. Winds gusting over 100 mph.

* WHERE...Big Island Summits.

* WHEN...Until 6 AM HST Sunday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. 
  Blowing snow will significantly reduce visibility at times, 
  with periods of zero visibility. See the High Wind Warning 
  that is also in effect.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The strong winds will likely cause 
  significant drifting of snow.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must
travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded,
stay with your vehicle.

&&

$$
526 
WWHW40 PHFO 041343
WSWHFO

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Honolulu HI
343 AM HST Sat Dec 4 2021

...BLIZZARD WARNING FOR THE BIG ISLAND SUMMITS...

HIZ028-050245-
/O.CON.PHFO.BZ.W.0001.000000T0000Z-211205T1600Z/
Big Island Summits-
343 AM HST Sat Dec 4 2021

...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM HST SUNDAY...

* WHAT...Blizzard conditions expected. Total snow accumulations 
  of up to 12 inches or more. Winds gusting over 100 mph.

* WHERE...Big Island Summits.

* WHEN...Until 6 AM HST Sunday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Blowing
  snow will significantly reduce visibility at times, with periods
  of zero visibility. See the High Wind Warning that is also in
  effect.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must
travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded,
stay with your vehicle.

&&

$$
163 
WWHW40 PHFO 050125
WSWHFO

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Honolulu HI
325 PM HST Sat Dec 4 2021

...BLIZZARD WARNING FOR THE BIG ISLAND SUMMITS...

HIZ028-051430-
/O.CON.PHFO.BZ.W.0001.000000T0000Z-211205T1600Z/
Big Island Summits-
325 PM HST Sat Dec 4 2021

...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM HST SUNDAY...

* WHAT...Blizzard conditions. Additional snow accumulations of up
  to 8 inches. Winds gusting as high as 125 mph.

* WHERE...Big Island Summits.

* WHEN...Until 6 AM HST Sunday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Blowing snow will 
  significantly reduce visibility at times, with periods of zero 
  visibility.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must
travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded,
stay with your vehicle. 

&&

$$

Birchard
108 
WWHW40 PHFO 051332
WSWHFO

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Honolulu HI
332 AM HST Sun Dec 5 2021

...BLIZZARD WARNING FOR THE BIG ISLAND SUMMITS...

HIZ028-060245-
/O.EXT.PHFO.BZ.W.0001.000000T0000Z-211206T1600Z/
Big Island Summits-
332 AM HST Sun Dec 5 2021

...BLIZZARD WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM HST MONDAY...

* WHAT...Blizzard conditions. Additional snow accumulations of 
  up to 8 inches. Winds gusting as high as 125 mph.

* WHERE...Big Island Summits.

* WHEN...Until 6 AM HST Monday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Blowing snow will
  significantly reduce visibility at times, with periods of zero
  visibility.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must
travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded,
stay with your vehicle.

&&

$$

Gibbs
522 
WWHW40 PHFO 060139
WSWHFO

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Honolulu HI
339 PM HST Sun Dec 5 2021

...BLIZZARD WARNING FOR THE BIG ISLAND SUMMITS...

HIZ028-061445-
/O.CON.PHFO.BZ.W.0001.000000T0000Z-211206T1600Z/
Big Island Summits-
339 PM HST Sun Dec 5 2021

...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM HST MONDAY...

* WHAT...Blizzard conditions. Additional snow accumulations of 4
  to 6 inches. Winds gusting as high as 80 mph.

* WHERE...Big Island Summits.

* WHEN...Until 6 AM HST Monday.

* IMPACTS...Travel will be dangerous, and the road to the summit
  remains closed. Blowing snow will significantly reduce 
  visibility at times, with periods of zero visibility.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must
travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded,
stay with your vehicle.

&&

$$

Wroe
045 
WWHW40 PHFO 061324
WSWHFO

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Honolulu HI
324 AM HST Mon Dec 6 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM HST THIS EVENING
FOR THE BIG ISLAND SUMMITS ABOVE 12000 FEET ELEVATION...

HIZ028-070230-
/O.CAN.PHFO.BZ.W.0001.000000T0000Z-211206T1600Z/
/O.NEW.PHFO.WW.Y.0013.211206T1324Z-211207T0400Z/
Big Island Summits-
324 AM HST Mon Dec 6 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM HST THIS
EVENING...
...BLIZZARD WARNING IS CANCELLED...

* WHAT...Snow. Additional snow accumulations of up to 4 inches are
  forecast. 

* WHERE...Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa summits above 12,000 feet
  elevation.

* WHEN...Until 6 PM HST this evening.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Blowing snow will 
  significantly reduce visibility at times, with periods of zero 
  visibility.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Winter Weather Advisory means that periods of snow, sleet, or
freezing rain will cause travel difficulties. Be prepared for
slippery roads and limited visibilities and use caution while
driving.

&&

$$

RCB

The office that day

Everything else NWS Honolulu, HI issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Dec 2, 3:04 PM HSTFlood WatchHFOHawaii, Honolulu, Kauai, Kalawao5 days
Dec 2, 3:24 PM HSTAreal Flood AdvisoryHFOKauai3 hr
Dec 2, 3:26 PM HSTHigh Wind WarningHFOHawaii, Kalawao3 days
Dec 2, 3:26 PM HSTWind AdvisoryHFOKauai, Kalawao44 hr
Dec 2, 3:32 PM HSTGale WarningHFO30 hr
Dec 2, 3:32 PM HSTSmall Craft AdvisoryHFO14 days
Dec 2, 4:02 PM HSTAreal Flood AdvisoryHFOHawaii3 hr
Dec 3, 5:16 AM HSTAreal Flood AdvisoryHFOKalawao3 hr
Dec 3, 9:08 AM HSTHigh Surf WarningHFOHawaii, Honolulu, Kauai, Kalawao66 hr
Dec 3, 9:08 AM HSTHigh Surf AdvisoryHFOHawaii, Honolulu, Kauai, Kalawao66 hr
Dec 3, 1:32 PM HSTAreal Flood AdvisoryHFOKalawao3 hr

Nearby

Blizzard Warnings in Hawaii, 2021Every blizzard warning in 2021

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.