The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a winter weather advisory for Big Island summits through noon today.
Forecasters said a cold low in the middle atmosphere has re-intensified an old front over the main Hawaiian islands bringing winter weather to summits areas above to 11,000-foot elevation of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea. The service cautioned of ice and drifting snow at the summits.
The service forecast south winds of 15 to 25 mph with gusts topping 30 mph. Temperatures are expected to be in the upper 20s and warming to around 40 degrees.
The Mauna Kea Access Road was open as of 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.
A winter weather advisory means that periods of snow, sleet or freezing rain will cause travel difficulties, according to the service, which cautioned drivers to be prepared for slippery roads and limited visibility. The service cautioned that visibility may be low at times obscuring edges of roads.