Update: High surf advisory canceled for north and west shores

Update at 3:55 p.m. Dec. 28: The National Weather Service in Honolulu has canceled the high surf advisory that was previously in effect for the north and west shores for Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau.

The advisory was suppoed to last through 6 p.m., but surf has fallen just below advisory levels and is expected to decline even more through the night.

Update at 9:10 a.m. Dec. 28: The high surf warning that was in effect for north and west shores of Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau was downgraded to a high surf advisory, which is now in effect until 6 p.m. today.

Surf of 15 to 22 feet is still churning along the North Shore this morning but is forecast to fall to to 10 to 18 feet this afternoon. West shores are still seeing breakers of 10 to 18 feet, but surf along those coastlines is expected to decline to 9 to 15 feet later today.

National Weather Service forecasters in Honolulu say surf should fall even more this evening as the large northwest swell that peaked Friday evening continues to gradually decline throughout the rest of the weekend.

However, strong breaking waves and strong currents will make swimming and surfing dangerous while advisory conditions persist.

Heed all advice from ocean safety officials. When in doubt, don’t go out.

Update at 4:46 a.m. Dec. 27: Surf along exposed north and west shores will remain well above warning levels today before slowly easing tonight through the weekend as an extra-large west-northwest to northwest swell gradually eases.

As a result, the National Weather Service in Honolulu has extended the high surf warning for north and west shorelines of Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau until 6 a.m. Saturday.

Surf of 30 to 40 feet is forecast to lower to 18 to 25 feet by early Saturday along north shores, while breakers of 20 of 30 feet along western shorelines falling to 15 to 20 feet early tomorrow.

Update at 4:03 a.m. Dec. 26: The National Weather Service in Honolulu extended the high surf warning in effect for north and west shores of Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau until 6 p.m. Friday.

Breaker heights are now forecast at 20 to 30 feet before rapidly building to 25 to 35 feet this afternoon along north shorelines as a significant west-northwest swell moves through the islands, with surf of 18 to 24 feet increasing to 22 to 26 feet this afternoon along west shores.

Surf should still peak this afternoon through Friday before slowly easing during the weekend.

Original story at 1:18 a.m. Dec. 26: For the second time in as many weeks, a high surf warning is in effect for the north and west shores of Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau.

The warning is in effect until 6 a.m. Friday, with surf of 18 to 25 feet building to 20 to 30 feet by this afternoon forecast along north shores of both islands and breakers of 15 to 20 feet increasing to 18 to 22 feet by noon today expected for west shorelines.

National Weather Service forecasters in Honolulu say surf along north and west shores was expected to rapidly build overnight, peak Thursday afternoon through Friday and then slowly ease through the weekend as another significant swell, this time a west-northwest swell, builds down the island chain.

Impacts are once again expected to be very high.

Ocean water surging and sweeping across beaches, coastal benches and lava flows have the potential to impact coastal properties and infrastructure, including roadways.

Powerful longshore and rip currents will be present at most beaches. Large breaking waves and strong currents also might impact harbor entrances and channels, making handling vessels a challenge.

“Entering the water in these areas during the high surf warning is very hazardous and could cause serious injury or death,” said the Kaua‘i Fire Department. “Beachgoers are also advised to use extreme caution, as large breaking waves could make it dangerous for those standing along the shoreline.”

Weather officials advise the public to be prepared for road closures and postpone entering or leaving affected channels until the high surf subsides.

For updated information about ocean and weather alerts, visit the National Weather Service Honolulu forecast office website.

For up-to-date information about Kaua‘i ocean conditions and ocean safety, speak to a Kaua‘i County lifeguard at any lifeguard station, click here or call the Kaua‘i Ocean Safety Bureau at 808-241-4984.