Two South Shore Swells to Arrive This Week

The National Weather Service has continued a High Surf Advisory for the South Facing Shores of Maui County.  The advisory is in effect until 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 7, 2011.

Surf conditions during a High Surf Advisory can produce rip currents and localized beach erosion.

The high surf was created by two powerful storms moving east of New Zealand last week.  The conditions created large swells that will affect south facing shores of the main Hawaiian Islands into the weekend.

The first swell will produce advisory level surf today into Thursday. This swell will be reinforced by a second, potentially larger swell by Friday, likely requiring an extension of the advisory into the weekend.

Surf heights are expected to be in the 6 to 8 foot range.  Forecast surf heights are estimates of the height of the face or front of waves.

A high tide of approximately 2.3 feet is expected between 6:09 p.m. and 7:27 p.m. tonight. The next high tide of approximately 1.5 feet is expected between 7:56 a.m. and 9:14 a.m. tomorrow morning.

As a precaution, beach goers are urged to stay out of the water and well away from the shore break due to hazardous wave action and strong rip currents.

*** Information courtesy National Weather Service.