High surf warning for most north, west shores through Thursday
MICHELLE BIR / SPECIAL TO THE HONOLULU STAR-ADVERTISER
Thousands gather to watch the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational in Waimea Bay, on Dec. 22. A high surf warning remains in place for the north and west shores of most Hawaiian islands through 6 p.m. Thursday.
UPDATE: 4:52 p.m.
The National Weather Service has extended a high surf warning for most islands to 6 p.m. Thursday.
“Dangerously large surf is expected along exposed north- and west-facing shores through 48 hours and possibly beyond,” the updated warning says. “A large west-northwest (290-310) swell will build in tonight. An overlapping extra-large northwest (310-330) will build in early Wednesday and provide reinforcement. Surf heights will build far above warning levels by tomorrow morning and persist into Thursday.”
Large breaking waves of 20 to 25 feet are expected tonight, climbing to 25 to 35 feet Tuesday night along north shores of Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, and Maui; waves of 15 to 20 feet today and 20 to 25 feet Tuesday are expected along west shores of Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, and Molokai. West shores of the Big Island will see large breaking waves of 8 to 14 feet., the weather service update said.
EARLIER COVERAGE
A high surf warning remains in place for the north and west shores of most Hawaiian islands through 6 a.m. Wednesday.
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The National Weather Service says warning-level surf is expected to continue through at least Wednesday morning as more swells arrive.
The warning covers:
>> North and west shores of Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, and Molokai.
>> North shores of Maui.
>> West shores of Hawaii island.
Officials warn of “dangerously large, breaking waves of 15 to 20 feet today and 20 to 25 feet by Tuesday” along the west shores of Niihau, Kauai, Oahu and Molokai.
Another northwest swell is expected to build swiftly later tonight into Tuesday, followed by an even larger one from Tuesday night into Wednesday.
Surf heights from Tuesday into Wednesday will build far above warning thresholds, forecasters warned, bringing dangerous surf along exposed north and west shores.
“Expect ocean water surging and sweeping across beaches, coastal benches, and lava flows creating the potential for impacts to coastal properties and infrastructure, including roadways,” said the NWS in the warning. “Powerful longshore and rip currents will be present at most beaches. Large breaking waves and strong currents may impact harbor entrances and channels causing challenging boat handling.”
The public should stay away from the shore along affected coasts, prepare for road closures, and postpone entering or leaving channels until the surf subsides.
