High surf prompts continued advisory; warning canceled
An intrepid bodyboarder plays in the surf at Maipalaoa Beach on Tuesday
High surf caused sand to spill onto Farrington Highway at Makaha Beach on Tuesday, August 30, 2011 in Makaha. High surf continued to pound the south and west facing shores of Oahu through Tuesday.
Photo Gallery: Surf, August 30, 2011
Photo Gallery: South shore swell
The National Weather Service canceled a high surf warning for south shores of all islands; but a high surf advisory continues until 6 p.m. Thursday.
Surf estimated at 8- to 12-feet is expected to slowly diminished to 6- to 8-feet Thursday and eventually falling below the 8-foot advisory level.
Surfers have been enjoying an unusually large and long-lasting swell on south shores that started building on Sunday.
A high surf warning for waves of 15-feet was issued Tuesday and downgraded at about noon today.
Forecasters are also predicting a west swell today from a tropical cyclone near the Philippines, pushing wave faces to 6 to 10 feet on some west-facing beaches.
Lifeguards have been busy with rescues during the swell.
The National Weather Service warns that the large breaking waves will produce dangerous rip currents and could cause some beach erosion.
Inexperienced surfers, swimmers and beach-goers are urged to stay out of the water and away from the shore break.
