North shore swell falters, but more big waves on the way
2012 DECEMBER 25 CTY - A woman photographs the surf behind cautionary tape at Pipeline on Tuesday, December 25, 2012. PHOTO BY CHAD K. UYENO / SPECIAL TO THE HONOLULU STAR-ADVERTISER
2012 DECEMBER 25 CTY - A surfer pulls into a barrel at Pipeline on Tuesday, December 25, 2012. A large Northwest swell produced hazardous surf conditions along the north and west facing beaches. PHOTO BY CHAD K. UYENO / SPECIAL TO THE HONOLUL STAR-ADVERTISER
2012 DECEMBER 25 CTY - A surfer straightens out before a wave closed-out at Pipeline on Tuesday, December 25, 2012. PHOTO BY CHAD K. UYENO / SPECIAL TO THE HONOLULU STAR-ADVERTISER
A Christmas Day swell on north and west shores has fallen below advisory levels, but National Weather Service forecasters say two more swells are on the way.
Forecasters canceled a high surf advisory for north and west shores of several islands after wave heights began to decline late this morning.
The wave faces are expected to lower to heights of 8- to 12-feet this afternoon on north shores and 5- to 8-feet on west shores.
Forecasters say a new swell is heading our way and could generate advisory-level surf again Thursday into Friday. Another swell, predicted to arrive Saturday, will bring even bigger waves on Saturday, forecasters say.
Wave faces were in the 20-foot range on Tuesday.
Lifeguards made 18 rescues and took 1,325 preventive actions — such as warning people to stay on dry land — on Tuesday, said Department of Emergency Services spokeswoman Shayne Enright.
