WARNING: North Shore Surf 20 – 28 Feet

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

By Wendy Osher

A large northwest swell has prompted a high surf warning until 6 p.m. on Friday, February 1, 2013.

Forecasters from the National Weather Service say surf will be in the 20 to 28 foot range along the north facing shores of Maui and Molokai; and 15 to 20 feet along the west facing shores of the Friendly Isle.

Affected shorelines will experience strong breaking waves, and hazardous rip currents.

The swell is expected to peak early today, then diminish tonight.

According to the NWS, ocean water may occasionally sweep across portions of beaches, with breaking waves occasionally impacting harbor entrances.  This could make harbor channel navigation dangerous.