https://www.facebook.com/cfhtelescope/photos/a.684140488304054.1073741829.611847318866705/1317564378294992/?type=3&theater

WINTER SPORTS ENTHUSIASTS in Hawaii have been making the most of heavy snowfall – with up to three feet falling in some areas of the US state.

While some snow on higher ground is not unusual on the islands – deep snow at lower altitudes is unusual.

“We’ll probably see three to five snow events a year during the cold season. Some years we might not get any, some years we might get more,” Matthew Foster, a US National Weather Service meteorologist in Honolulu, told USA today. 

Canada France Hawaii Telescope Corporation Canada France Hawaii Telescope Corporation

Snow on mountain peaks is common enough, Foster said. However, to illustrate how unusual the current weather was, he said that the Haleakalā volcano on the island of Maui only got snow once every five years or so.

Despite being about 10,000 feet high, it was one of the few areas of Hawaii to experience snow with any regularity, he said.

A winter storm warning is in effect for parts of the island state, with more snow expected today – about a foot on higher ground.

While we’re on the subject, the weather in Ireland will be warmer than of late over the next few days.

It’s unlikely to dip below zero tonight, according to Met Éireann – and while there will be some rain around tomorrow, the temperatures could reach 11 or 12 degrees in some areas.

Read: ‘Tourist bodies don’t want us to be seen as a leprechaun country. I found that interesting’ >