MAUNA KEA, Hawaii – Big Island residents awoke to the glimmer of white on the summit of Mauna Kea Tuesday morning.

Although most views from below the mountain were obscured by clouds, summit webcams showed a dusting of snow had accumulated overnight.

“Given the convective looking nature of the clouds approaching the Big Island,” notes a National Weather Service discussion posted at 4 a.m. HST, “we can’t rule out a stray thunderstorm developing this afternoon with the aid of daytime heating, and will mention isolated thunder for the Big Island this afternoon. This then has implications on precip type across the Big Island summits, as the potential for deep convection along with temperatures in the 30’s to low 40’s, may allow for some snow showers as well. As a result, will mention a chance of rain and show showers for the Big Island summits, generally above 13 kft. ”

The Mauna Kea Access Road is open, rangers report.