A winter storm warning goes into effect at midnight for Big Island summits, according to the National Weather Service in Honolulu. More than 6 inches of snow is forecast to fall before the warning ends at 6 a.m. Friday.
A cold low in the middle atmosphere moving over the island will support locally heavy snow showers and thunderstorms, according to forecasters. Snow showers and heavier snow squalls could lead to rapid accumulations of snow at the summits above 12,000 feet in elevation. The heavier bursts of snow may be accompanied by gusty winds and cloud-t0-ground lightning.
The service forecast southeast winds of 10 to 20 mph. Temperatures are expected to be in the 20s and 30s.
The Mauna Kea Access Road remained closed as of 8 p.m. Wednesday because of ice.
A winter storm warning means significant snow, sleet or ice accumulations are expected that may impact travel. The service cautioned that visibility may be near zero at times.