Warning Level North Shore Surf Forecast at 20-30 Feet

High surf at Hookipa Beach on the North Shore. File photo by Madeline Ziecker.

By Wendy Osher

Warning level surf of 20 to 30 feet is expected to peak on Wednesday along the north facing shores of Maui and Molokaʻi, according to the latest surf forecast produced by the National Weather Service.

NWS forecasters issued a high surf warning for the north and east facing shores of both islands from 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12, to 6 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14.

The agency is warning the public that the conditions will produce “dangerous, battering waves” that will pound the shoreline, and result in “very dangerous swimming conditions, and deadly rip currents.”

While the north shore surf will be higher than the east facing shores, surf heights will also be in the warning level on the east side where surf is expected to be in the 15 to 20 foot range.

The conditions on the water are the result of a combination of a powerful low-pressure system north of the state, and a strong high-pressure system far to the northwest, according to the NWS.

Forecasters say the large north swell will rapidly build tonight and peak on Wednesday, before diminishing on Wednesday night into Thursday.

As a precautionary measure, the public is advised that inexperienced persons should remain off the beachfront where large breaking surf and significant shore break will result in “very hazardous conditions.”