Clouds are expected to bring showers westward across the Hawaiian isle chain, and snow to Big Island summits by Christmas Day, weather officials said.

The National Weather Service said an upper-level disturbance will move over the Big Island from the southeast, producing clouds and showers starting later this morning into Tuesday, Christmas Day. The clouds and showers are expected to drift westward, bringing higher chances for showers statewide.

Snow showers, meanwhile, are expected over the highest peaks of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa due to deepening cloud heights, bringing up to several inches of snowfall above the 12,000-foot elevation of both Big Isle summits by Christmas Day. A winter weather advisory may be issued later this afternoon.

A cold front is expected to approach from the northwest on Wednesday, and move through the state Friday into Saturday, bringing heavy rains and thunderstorms across the isle chain.