Small Craft Advisory Continued as Swell Gets Smaller

Big Beach 2011, file photo by Carlos Rock.

By Wendy Osher

The National Weather Service has continued a small craft advisory until 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 11.

Forecasters say a northwest swell will continue to diminish, with combined seas in many areas falling below small craft criteria; however, locally strong trade winds will continue, with winds strongest where they accelerate around the high mountains of Maui and the Big Island of Hawai’i.

Waters at Maalaea Bay, the Pailolo and Alenuihaha Channel, and Leeward and southeast waters of the Big Island are under the advisory.

Winds will be blowing from the northeast to east at 25 to 30 knots, and seas will be 7 to 12 feet.

The winds and seas will produce conditions that are considered hazardous for small craft. The NWS advises that inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels, should avoid navigating in these conditions.