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Video captures a shimmering blanket atop Mauna Kea

Video captures a shimmering blanket atop Mauna Kea

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Any place, including Hawaii, can become a winter wonderland with the right amount of snow.

The Aloha State likely experienced its first snowfall of the season on Monday after a winter storm moved in, blanketing a peak in glistening white snow.

The arrival of snow in the region is not uncommon, especially at higher elevations between 30,000 and 10,000 feet, Alan Reppert, senior meteorologist at AccuWeather, told USA TODAY on Tuesday.

Still, the snowfall gave Americans a taste of what could be coming to their side of the woods in the coming months.

Video shows the first snowfall of the season in Hawaii

Derek Petrowski witnessed the snowfall firsthand earlier this week and shot a short video to document the appearance of snow on Mauna Kea, the island’s highest peak.

Mountain ranges and volcanic peaks in the area are most affected by winter weather during the wet season, which typically runs from October to April. Most severe weather and snowstorm warnings are typically issued within that time frame.

“Most of the snow that falls in Hawaii is over (7,000 to 8,000 feet)…They may even see some snow on Hawaii’s highest peaks even in mid-summer,” Reppert said. “It’s something that happens there.”

Residents and tourists are fortunate to be able to reap the benefits of the Big Island’s good weather during the wet season because they are not close enough to see or experience the snow.

The only evidence of snow in the area, aside from videos and photos taken by residents, may be light breezes or an increased risk of showers.

Mauna Kea stands at an elevation of 13,803 feet, according to the US Geological Survey.

According to Newsweek, National Weather Service meteorologists issued a winter weather advisory ahead of the snowfall as “deep moisture” was expected to move across the area through Monday, leading to “periods of rain and snow at high tops.” The winter storm brought heavy snow to higher elevations and heavy rain to lower elevations until Tuesday morning, Newsweek reported.

The last time a winter weather advisory was issued for the volcano was May 11, NWS meteorologist Derek Wroe told Newsweek before the weekend’s winter storm.