UPDATE: High Surf/Small Craft Advisories Continue for Maui County

UPDATE: Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2018, 6:53 AM

The National Weather Service has CONTINUED the HIGH SURF ADVISORY for the NORTH- AND WEST-FACING SHORES OF MOLOKA‘I AND NORTH-FACING SHORES OF MAUI until 6 p.m.

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

EFFECTS: A large NNW swell will peak today, producing dangerously high surf along exposed north- and west-facing shores.

Expect surf of 15 to 20 feet along the north-facing shores of Moloka‘i and Maui.

Expect surf of 10 to 15 feet along the west-facing shores of Moloka‘i.

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

IMPACTS: EXPECT STRONG BREAKING WAVES, SHORE BREAK, AND STRONG LONGSHORE AND RIP CURRENTS, MAKING SWIMMING DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS.

PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES: BEACHGOERS, SWIMMERS, AND SURFERS SHOULD HEED ALL ADVICE GIVEN BY OCEAN SAFETY OFFICIALS AND EXERCISE CAUTION.

INFORMATION: Maui County Emergency Management Agency will continue to monitor the situation. Please listen to your local radio and TV stations or NOAA Weather Radio for any updates. 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.

Go online for preparedness tips and hazard information.

A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT until 6 p.m.

Winds and Seas: NE winds 10 to 20 knots, highest over the Alenuihaha Channel. Seas 6 to 10 feet, highest over waters exposed to the northwest swell.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS

A Small Craft Advisory means that winds speeds of 25 to 33 knots and/or seas 10 feet or greater are expected to produce conditions hazardous to small craft. Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels, should avoid navigating in these conditions.

UPDATE: Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018, 3:18 PM

A large NNW swell will peak Tuesday into Wednesday, producing dangerously high surf along exposed north- and west-facing shores. Surf will gradually lower Thursday through Friday.

Monday, Oct. 15, 2018, 3:19 PM

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a High Surf Advisory, which is in effect from 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16, to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17.

Effected areas on Maui include windward and leeward Moloka‘i, and windward Maui West Maui, Central Valley and windward Haleakalā.

SURF: 15 to 20 feet along north-facing shores of Maui and along north- and west-facing shores of Ni‘ihau, Kaua‘i, O‘ahu and Moloka‘i.

TIMING: Building Tuesday and continuing through Wednesday.

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

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS

Large breaking surf, significant shorebreak, and dangerous currents make entering the water very hazardous.

Know your limits; when in doubt, don’t go out.