Up to 6 inches of snow could fall on the Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea summits between Monday evening and Wednesday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service in Honolulu.
An upper-level trough is expected to bring potential for snow showers and gusty winds over the Big Island summits above 12,000 feet in elevation between Monday night and Wednesday afternoon, the service said. Thunderstorms that may result in locally higher snowfall amounts are also in the forecast.
The service forecast south-southwest winds around 20 to 30 mph with higher gusts. Temperatures at the summit are expected to be in the upper 20s to lower 40s.
Visibility during snow showers could be reduced to less than a mile, the service cautioned.
A winter storm watch means there is potential for significant snow, sleet or ice accumulations that may impact travel.