A high surf warning is in effect for west-facing shores of Hawaii Island through 6 p.m. Saturday, according to the National Weather Service in Honolulu.
A high surf warning is in effect for west-facing shores of Hawaii Island through 6 p.m. Saturday, according to the National Weather Service in Honolulu.
A building northwest swell will fuel 20- to 25-foot waves along the Kona and Kohala coasts, according to forecasters. Because the swell has more of a westerly component, west-facing shores of Hawaii Island will see “much larger than normal surf.”
Forecasters expect the waves to gradually diminish by 6 p.m. Saturday, however, surf may remain hazardous through Sunday.
The service categorized the surf’s impact as “high” warning that waves may sweep across portions of beaches. The service also warned of very strong breaking waves and strong longshore and rip currents. The breaking waves may impact harbors making navigating harbor channels dangerous.
Beachgoers, swimmers and surfers should heed all advice given by ocean safety officials and exercise extreme caution.