Swell brings warning-level surf to north shores
A lifeguard patrolled Sunset Beach which was closed due to high surf at the North Shore on Wednesday.
A late-season winter swell is bringing warning-level surf to north and west shores of Oahu, Kauai County and Molokai and north shores of Maui.
Waves of 22 to 26 feet are expected Friday on north shores and west shores of Kauai and Niihau. West-side spots on Oahu and Molokai should see 16- to 22-foot surf.
The surf is expected to drop below warning levels Friday night and will likely remain at advisory levels on Saturday..
A high surf advisory is also in effect for north and east shores of Hawaii island. Wave heights of 12 to 16 feet are expected on north shores of the Big Island through Friday afternoon.
Forecasters warn that the strong, breaking waves and strong currents can make swimming hazardous.
Breezy north to northwest winds will also create choppy, less-than-ideal surfing conditions.
South shores are seeing a small out-of-season swell. Waves of 2 to 4 feet are expected on the south shore through Saturday. East shores should see surf of 3 to 5 feet.
Forecasters say it’s still too early to tell if Tropical Cyclone Pam in the southwestern Pacific will move into an area that could send surf to Hawaii next week.
