A high surf warning has been issued for north and west shores of Oahu, Kauai, Niihau and Molokai and the north-facing shores of Maui.

The warning is in effect from noon Wednesday to 6 p.m. Thursday.

National Weather Service officials said a northwest swell will produce advisory-level surf along most north and west shores from Kauai to Maui through Wednesday morning. A larger northwest swell will build throughout the day on Wednesday, likely pushing surf to high-surf warning levels on Kauai and Oahu by the afternoon and on Molokai and Maui by the evening. The elevated surf will peak early Thursday.

Surf of 10 to 15 feet is expected along north and west shores of Niihau and Kauai, and north shores of Oahu, Molokai, and Maui through Wednesday morning, then increase to 18 to 25 feet Wednesday afternoon. Surf of 6 to 10 feet is expected along west shores of Oahu and Molokai through Wednesday morning, then increase to 12 to 20 feet Wednesday afternoon.

Officials warn of strong, breaking waves, shore break, and rip currents, making swimming difficult and dangerous. Beachgoers, swimmers, and surfers should exercise caution and heed all advice given by ocean safety officials.

Forecasters, meanwhile, expect light, easterly winds to continue through Wednesday, along with dry, stable conditions.

Today should be mostly clear in the morning, partly cloudy in the afternoon, with isolated showers, highs from 80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and variable winds up to 15 miles per hour. Lows tonight range from 66 to 71 degrees.

An upper-level disturbance and cold front, however, are expected to move in during the second half of the week, bringing showers, and breezy, northeast to east tradewinds.