HAWAII ISLAND – A series of weather alerts are in effect for Hawaii Island and the rest of the state on Saturday morning, as unsettled weather will impact the island chain this weekend into early next week

The National Weather Service says a front will stall out in the vicinity of Maui County as a potent low aloft pivots southward across the western end of the island chain. “Heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected in association with these features, with the most unsettled weather expected across the central and eastern islands,” forecasters say.

“Forecast models continue to indicate that the greatest threat for flooding will occur over Maui county,” the NWS in Honolulu said at 3:57 a.m. Saturday morning, “but given the unstable environment over the central and eastern islands, Oahu and the Big Island have the potential to receive heavy flooding rains as well.”

Currently, a Flash Flood Watch is in effect for Hawaii Island.

A Winter Storm Watch is in effect for Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, where heavy and blowing snow could drop six inches on the summits. A High Wind Warning is also in effect until 6 a.m. Monday. Southwest winds increasing to 55 to 70 mph with gusts to 80 mph.

The National Park Service has already closed access to the Mauna Loa summit due to the weather forecast.

A return to a more typical trade wind weather pattern is then expected by the middle of next week.