High Surf Advisory in Effect for North Maui

High surf at Ho‘okipa Beach on the North Shore. File photo by Madeline Ziecker.

UPDATE: Feb. 19, 5 p.m.

The National Weather Service has CONTINUED a WIND ADVISORY for the Lāna‘i & Kaho‘olawe, in effect until 6 p.m. Monday.

PREVIOUS POST: Feb. 19, 8:36 a.m.

The National Weather Service has issued a High Surf Advisory for north-facing shores of Maui and  north- and  west-facing shores of Moloka‘i, in effect thru 6 p.m Monday.

A High Surf Advisory means that high surf will affect beaches in the advisory area, producing rip currents and localized beach erosion.

A combination of strong north to northeast winds and a large north-northwest swell filling in will lead to dangerous surf along exposed north and west facing shores through Monday.

Surf will be 6 to 10 feet this morning, rising to 15 to 20 feet this afternoon, peaking tonight before gradually declining Monday.

Forecast surf heights are estimates of the height of the face or front of waves.

Expect strong breaking waves, shore break, longshore and rip currents, making swimming difficult and dangerous.

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

NOAA Weather broadcasts can be reached by calling 1-866-944-5025. NOAA Weather internet services can be found at weather.gov/hawaii.

Pre-recorded advisories and notifications are available 24-hours a day on the Maui County Automated Information System (AIS) by calling 986-1200.

This same notification can be found on the Maui County website at mauicounty.gov.emergency.management@co.maui.hi.us and (808) 270-7285.