Ela to Kick Up High Surf on East-Facing Shores on Friday

East Maui, High Surf. File photo by Wendy Osher.

By Maui Now Staff

The National Weather Service has issued a high surf advisory for east-facing shores this morning at 8:30 a.m., in effect from Friday morning at 6 a.m. through Sunday morning at 6 a.m.

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

A swell from Tropical Storm Ela is expected to produce surf of 6 to 8 feet, which will diminish rapidly late Saturday night as Ela weakens and passes northeast of the area. (Forecast surf heights are estimates of the height of the face or front of waves.)

The islands can expect strong breaking waves, shore breatk and strong longshore and rip currents, making swimming difficult and dangerous.

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