(BIVN) – The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a Winter Storm Watch as well as a High Wind Watch for Big Island summits, in effect from Tuesday evening through Wednesday afternoon.

A Winter Storm Watch means there is potential for significant snow or ice accumulations that may impact the summits, forecasters say.

On Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, forecasters say heavy, mixed precipitation will be possible. “Plan on difficult travel conditions,” a weather message stated. “A wintry mix of snow and freezing rain at times with some ice and snow accumulation expected at elevations above 9,000 feet.”

A High Wind Watch will also go into effect on the summits by Tuesday evening. Sustained west winds are expected to be over 55 mph, with gusts over 65 mph.

“The potential for strong winds at the Big Island summits appears more likely,” a Monday evening weather discussion stated, “and the High Wind Watch will likely need to be upgraded to a High Wind Warning later tonight or Tuesday.”