HAWAII ISLAND – It could be a wet and stormy weekend on Hawaii Island.

An unsettled weather pattern will prevail through the weekend and early next week, the National Weather Service says, as a front stalls over the islands and a potent low aloft significantly destabilizes the atmosphere.

“While cool north winds will limit shower coverage and intensity over Kauai county, and the front will likely focus the heaviest rainfall over Maui county, thunderstorms will be possible statewide through the weekend,” forecasters wrote this morning.

A Flash Flood Watch for Hawaii Island will take effect Saturday morning.

A Winter Storm Watch has also been issued for Big Island summits, with snowfall up to 6 inches possible. The watch will be in effect from Saturday morning through Sunday.

A High Surf Advisory is also in effect for south facing shores of Hawaii Island. Surf heights of 5 to 8 feet are likely.

Forecasters say the unsettled weather is expected to continue early next week, with a trend toward a more typical trade wind weather pattern expected by mid-week.