Heavy rain and snow are in the forecast for Hawaii as a dip in theupper atmospheric wind flow, known as a trough, brings stormy weather to our nation's fiftieth state.

In fact, the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a for the Big Island's volcanic peaks of Maunu Kea and Mauna Loa. The warning says that a foot of snow is possible above 12,000 feet through early Thursday morning. The NWS warned that travel to summits will be dangerous due to the wintry conditions.

Blizzard Warning

Webcam from the summit of Mauna Kea. May be difficult to view based on weather conditions and time of day.

For the surrounding lower elevations, the threat of heavy rain and thunderstorms has triggered for both Maui and the Big Island.

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Though it may sound unusual to have snow in the forecast for Hawaii, it's more common than you might think.

According to , an assistant professor of geology and geophysics at the University of Hawaii, "it snows here every year, but only at the very summits of our three tallest volcanoes (Mauna Loa, and Haleakala)."

"The snow level almost never gets below 9,000 feet in Hawaii during the winter, but since these mountains are taller than 13,600 feet, 13,700 feet and 10,000 feet, respectively, they get dusted with snow a few times a year. It rarely stays on the ground for more than a few days though."

Is the snow suited for typical wintertime recreational activities such as skiing? Our digital meteorologist explores that topic below.

Can You Really Ski in Hawaii?

Technically, it is possible to ski in Hawaii, but there are a lot of caveats.

explains that "Mauna Kea is a National Science Reserve and is not maintained as a ski area. Skiing areas may have unmarked and exposed rocks. Adverse weather conditions may arise unexpectedly... Most runs are for intermediate to advanced skiers/snowboarders - weather permitting."

In addition, the cautions potential skiers that "there are no lifts, no grooming, no resort, but a road goes to the summit to serve the dozen or so world-class located at the summit. You must have a 4-wheel drive vehicle to get to the summit, which serves as your 'lift'." The club adds that skiers take turns being the driver, picking up the other skiers at the bottom of the runs and ferrying them up to the summit.

"Conditions at the top are extremely variable. Winter temperatures range from 25 to 40 degrees, but wind chill and the high altitude can make it seem much colder. Between April and November the weather is milder, with daytime temperatures varying from 30 to 60 degrees."

Bottom line, it may be better to hang ten near the beach rather than ski down a Hawaiian mountain. Thankfully though, technology is on snowbirds' side: beautiful views of Mauna Kea's peaks can be seen via the .

PHOTOS: Snow in Hawaii