Monstrous surf on north coasts being forecast

Strong northwest wind and a huge swell moving in from the same direction are expected to produce potentially deadly surf along the north and west shores of most islands through early Tuesday morning.

According to the National Weather Service, surf as high as 45 to 55 feet could threaten lives and damage roads and homes along the north coasts of Oahu, Molokai and Maui.

The surf “is expected to produce life-threatening conditions along exposed north and west facing shores beginning this evening and continuing through Monday night,” the weather service said Sunday, adding, “Large breaking surf, significant shorebreak, and dangerous currents will make entering the water extremely hazardous.”

A high-surf warning was issued Sunday evening, effective through 6 a.m. Tuesday, for the north and west shores of Kauai and Niihau; the north shores of Oahu, Molokai and Maui; and the west shores of Oahu and Molokai.

Western shores might see surf from 25 to 35 feet, officials said. The surf could also wrap around to exposed areas on east shores.

The northwest swell might also arrive about the same time as a cold front that will shift the wind to the northwest. The wind could also bring waves farther inland.

Forecasters report a “high likelihood” of water periodically overrunning roadways in places such as Laniakea Beach and Dillingham Airfield.

All of the smaller Hawaiian Islands could experience “significant coastal flooding” early today, as could the north shores of Hawaii island later in the day, the weather service said. Waves on Hawaii island are forecast at 20 to 25 feet.

The surf is expected to peak tonight.

The agency attributed the high surf to “a combination of strong northwest winds associated with a fast-moving cold front and a very large wintertime northwest swell.”

The surf conditions don’t appear to be ideal for the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau big-wave surfing contest. The contest remains on standby.

Forecasters are watching another swell that could arrive Wednesday or Thursday and generate contest-size waves of 40 feet.