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BRUCE OMORI / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER
Bruce Omori / Special to the Star-Advertiser
A canopy of stars aided by moonlight on Friday illuminated the snow-capped summit of Mauna Kea, as seen from Saddle Road. At right, a snow plow had plenty of work to do Saturday morning clearing a path to the University of Hawaii at Hilo's Physics and Astronomy telescope on Mauna Kea.
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A snowplow could be seen at work this morning on the top of Mauna Kea. (Courtesy: UH Hilo Physics and Astronomy Telescope)
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Despite relatively calmer skies on Saturday, the National Weather Service reports the lingering unstable air mass that brought high winds and heavy rain to the state late last week could continue to vex portions of Hawaii island today.
The weather pattern caused heavy showers that resulted in significant flooding on Oahu, Maui, Kauai and Hawaii island on Thursday and Friday.
The showers subsided on most islands on Saturday, but continued to pound the Keauhou, Honaunau and Kealakekua areas of the Big Island, prompting the weather service to issue a flood advisory effective through Saturday evening.
The Mauna Kea Access Road, which was covered by nearly 2 inches of snow on Friday, remained closed Saturday due to wet road conditions at below-freezing temperatures.
The summit areas also were subject to a winter weather advisory, effective through 6 this morning, with 1 to 2 inches of snow expected to fall overnight.
Forecasters say the high-pressure system north of the state will maintain a trade-wind weather pattern through the early part of the coming week, with clouds and passing showers favoring windward and mauka areas.
A "slightly drier" tradewind weather pattern is expected to return by midweek as the atmosphere becomes more stable, the weather service reported.
Meanwhile, a high-surf advisory remains in effect through 6 a.m. Monday for east-facing shores of all islands. Forecasters predict waves of 7 to 10 feet. Oceangoers are cautioned to be aware of strong breaking waves, pounding shore break, and strong along-shore and rip currents.