Snow on Haleakala?

[helen]

When is the best time of the year to see snow on Haleakala? And do they close the summit when it does snow?

[kukui_nut]

When is the best time of the year to see snow on Haleakala? And do they close the summit when it does snow?
Living in Kula (3500 ft. level), this is right "up my alley" (pun intended :p ).

First of all, it RARELY snows atop Haleakala. Well, any snow that would "stick" anyway. And to predict or plan for it....nuh, uh. This would normally be in Dec. or Jan. and when it happens, the park usually leaves the road open for the mass exodus of snow-seekers. :)

The last big snowfall was in 2002, where it lasted (until it melted away) for 2 days max. Although, with this change in weather pattern (so much more rain the last 2 winters) I think more chances of snow should come.

I found these pics from 2002:

http://home.earthlink.net/~homeyrf/imagessnow/107-0717_IMGs.JPG

http://home.earthlink.net/~homeyrf/imagessnow/107-0725_IMGsJPG