Wind warning issued for Big Island summits

A high wind warning has been issued for the Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa summits through noon today.

The National Weather Service in Honolulu forecast west winds of 40 mph to 65 mph with gusts topping 75 mph for areas above 8,000 feet in elevation.

The Mauna Kea Access Road is currently closed at the Visitor Information Station because of wind gusts topping 75 mph at the summit, according to the Mauna Kea Weather Center. The current temperature at the summit is 27.4 degrees. The maximum recorded gust at the summit within the past 24 hours was 112 mph.

A high wind warning means that winds at the summit are expected to be at least 56 mph with gusts topping 66 mph, according to the service. The service cautioned that travel to the summit should be delayed until winds subside.