UPDATE: Saturday, 8:55 a.m.

Friday’s high surf advisory has been extended to 6 p.m. today and now includes Niihau and the Big Island.

The National Weather Service early this morning issued a high surf advisory for north facing shores of Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui and the Big Island, with waves forecast to reach 12 to 16 feet.

As with the previous advisory, beachgoers are warned of strong breaking waves, shore break, and strong longshore and rip currents that could make swimming difficult and dangerous.

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A high surf advisory has been issued for the north facing shores of Kauai County, Oahu, Molokai and Maui, effective until 6 a.m. Saturday.

The National Weather Service says a new north swell will gradually build today, generating low-end, advisory-level surf this afternoon through at least Saturday morning.

Large, breaking waves of 10 to 15 feet are expected, along with strong rip currents which will making swimming difficult and dangerous.

Beachgoers, swimmers, and surfers should exercise caution and heed all advice given by ocean safety officials.

The swell will gradually lower through the weekend, officials said, and another north-northwest swell is forecast to arrive early next week.

Surf for west facing shores, meanwhile, is expected to remain at 5 to 7 feet today and Saturday morning.

Surf along east facing shores is expected to remain below average, at 1 to 3 feet, while south facing shores will get a boost to 3 to 5 feet today and Saturday.