A wind advisory remains in effect for Hawaii Island through 6 p.m. today. The Mauna Kea Access Road is currently closed.
A wind advisory remains in effect for Hawaii Island through 6 p.m. today. The Mauna Kea Access Road is currently closed.
The Mauna Kea Weather Center reported the road closed at 12:48 p.m. because of falling ice and increasing winds. The current temperature at the summit is 31.8 degrees.
National Weather Service forecasters based in Honolulu called for northeast winds around 20 mph to 35 mph with gusts reaching 50 mph.
Forecasters warned that winds this strong can bring down tree branches. Reports of downed albizia trees and limbs have already been received from the Puna District, according to the service, which noted some of the limbs have fallen on power lines, resulting in localized power outages.
A wind advisory means that sustained winds of at least 30 mph or gusts of at least 50 mph are expected. Motorists are advised to use extra caution.