High surf warning issued for islands as Hurricane Julio approaches
The driver of a pickup truck slows down to avoid being sprayed by waves breaking off of Kamehameha Highway in Honolulu on Friday, Aug. 8, 2014. Due to the effects of Tropical Storm Iselle, surf was stronger than normal on Oahu's windward side. Iselle came ashore onto the Big Island early Friday as a weakened tropical storm, while Hurricane Julio, behind it, is forecasted to pass north of the islands. Iselle is the first tropical storm to hit the state in 22 years. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner)
The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a high surf warning for east-facing shores of Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui and the Big Island as Hurricane Julio approaches the islands.
The warning is in effect until 6 a.m.Monday. Surf is expected to rise to up to 15 feet Saturday night.
“A large east swell generated from Hurricane Julio will build tonight to warning levels,” National Weather Service forecasters said Saturday.
“Expect ocean water occasionally sweeping across portions of beaches, very strong breaking waves and strong longshore and rip currents,” the warning said.
Julio, packing maximum sustained winds of 100 mph, is on a track that would bring it about 250 miles northeast of Maui Sunday night. Forecasters with the Central Pacific Hurricane Center expect the storm to pass north of the island chain Sunday through Monday. They said north and east shores of the islands should expect high surf for the next few days.
