Reports earlier today hinted that there was snow on Haleakala from Last night’s powerful storm.

SNOW On HALEAKALA? – A MauiWatch fan posted what appears to be snow on Haleakala. But park officials say, “Not so fast.” Click to enlarge. (MauiWatch Photo)

A thread on the MauiWatch Facebook page includes a picture of what looks like a generous dusting of the white stuff. Ice and frost can look like snow from a distance. Haleakala National Park ranger Polly Angelakis replied, “Frost is moisture from humid air that settles on the ground or on plants and freezes into ice. Due to heavy rain and low temperatures the rain we got also froze into ice.”

She dealt the final blow by adding, “The Park summit is still closed due to downed trees outside park entrance. Please stay home and stay safe.”

No power at the Summit. Power went down with the tree branches late Friday. County crews are cleaning roads but the Summit remains closed due to downed trees and landslide outside of park’s summit entrance.  Kipahulu District is open but there are lots of downed trees and rocks on Hana Highway.

The park will remain closed Sunday. Kipahulu Rangfer Station will remain open, but the pools at Oheo Gulch will remain closed due to high water from drenching rains Friday.

DOWNED TREES AT SUMMIT – Haleakala National Park’s summit remains closed until crews can remove downed trees and restore power. Click to enlarge. (Haleakala NPS Photo)