High Surf Warning to Bring 20-30 Foot Surf

By Wendy Osher

There is a High Surf Warning in effect for the North and West facing shores of Maui and Molokai; and the West facing shores of Lanai and Kahoolawe until 6 a.m. on Sunday, January 20, 2013.

Forecasters from the National Weather Service say an unusually long period northwest swell will bring warning level surf to the islands tonight and into the weekend.

Surf is expected to be in the 20 to 30 foot range along the north facing shores tonight, and 15 to 20 feet along the west facing shores.

The elevated surf will result in water occasionally sweeping across portions of beaches, very strong breaking waves and strong rip currents. Breaking waves, forecasters say, may occasionally impact harbors making navigating the harbor channel dangerous.