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High surf warning is in effect for Oahu, Kauai and Molokai

STAR-ADVERTISER FILE
                                Beachgoers stayed well away from the shorebreak as high surf hit Oahu’s North Shore at Sunset Beach.

STAR-ADVERTISER FILE

Beachgoers stayed well away from the shorebreak as high surf hit Oahu’s North Shore at Sunset Beach.

UPDATED: 4:50 p.m.

A high surf warning is still in effect for the north-facing shores of Oahu, Kauai and Molokai as well as the north- and west-facing shores of Niihau.

In addition, a high surf advisory remains in effect for the west-facing shores of Oahu, Kauai and Molokai and the north-facing shores of Maui.

Both the warning and advisory are in effect until 6 a.m. Tuesday. The warning applies to Niihau, Oahu North Shore, Kauai North, Koolau Windward, Molokai Windward and Molokai North Shores.

Forecasters are warning of dangerously large breaking waves of nearly 25 feet on the affected islands. On Hawaii island, expect large breaking waves of 12 to 16 feet across the north shores.

“Stay away from the shoreline along the affected coasts. Be prepared for road closures. Postpone entering or leaving channels affected by the high surf until the surf subsides,” according to the forecast.

9:30 a.m.

The earlier flood advisory for Oahu has expired.

EARLIER COVERAGE

A flood advisory is in effect for Oahu as a weak cold front moves over the Hawaiian islands from the northwest today.

At 6:46 a.m., radar showed heavy rain falling over East Oahu at 0.5 to 1 inch per hour, according to the National Weather Service. A flood advisory was subsequently posted through 9:15 a.m. today.

Some locations that will experience flooding include Honolulu, Waiahole, Waikane, Kahaluu, Ahuimanu, Kaaawa, Aiea, Pearl City, Halawa, Kaneohe, Moanalua, Punaluu, Salt Lake, Mililani, Kalihi, Kaneohe Marine Base, Wahiawa, Maunawili, Hauula and Kailua.

“Rainfall and runoff will also cause hazardous driving conditions due to ponding, reduced visibility and poor braking action,” NWS officials said in a bulletin this morning.

The advisory may need to be extended if flooding persists.

Forecasters said the cold front moving slowly down the island chain today is expected to stall over Maui County later today. Clouds and showers will develop from Kauai to Maui into Tuesday.

Newly returned tradewinds will be locally breezy today following the cold front from Kauai to Molokai, easing back to typical tradewind weather Tuesday through Friday.

A high surf warning remains in effect for the north and west shores of Niihau and the north shores of Kauai, Oahu and Molokai while a high surf advisory is in effect for the west shores of Kauai, Oahu, Molokai and Maui’s north shore through Tuesday at 6 a.m.

A large north-northwest swell grew overnight and will continue to build east, bringing “dangerously high” surf to exposed north shores and high surf to west shores today, weather officials said. The swell is forecast to gradually weaken and turn more northerly Tuesday.

“Dangerously large breaking waves” near 25 feet” are expected in warning areas while surf up to 15 feet is forecast for advisory areas, according to the NWS.

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