Update: High surf warning extended for north and west shores of Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau

Update at 7:49 p.m. Feb. 28: The National Weather Service in Honolulu says a large northwest swell is expected to rapidly build from northwest to southeast down the island chain this morning before peaking late this morning through the afternoon and then gradually decline tonight through the weekend.

In response, forecasters have extended the high surf warning in effect for north and west shores of Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau to 6 a.m. Saturday.

Surf of 25 to 35 feet is expected for north shores of both islands and 18 to 24 feet along west shores, causing very strong breaking waves and powerful currents that will make ocean activities — including channel navigation — dangerous.

The National Weather Service urges the public to:

• Postpone entering or leaving affected channels until high surf subsides.
• Stay away from the shoreline along affected coasts.
• Be prepared for road closures.

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

Visit the National Weather Service Honolulu forecast office website for updated information about ocean and weather alerts.

Speak to a Kaua‘i County lifeguard at any lifeguard station, visit the Safe Beach Day website or call the Kaua‘i Ocean Safety Bureau at 808-241-4984 for up-to-date information about Kaua‘i ocean conditions and ocean safety recommendations.

Original post from 2:54 p.m. Feb. 27: Another large northwest swell will again cause surf to build to warning thresholds tonight and peak Friday before slowly subsiding during the weekend.

The swell’s arrival caused forecasters at the National Weather Service forecast office in Honolulu to issue a new high surf warning for the north and west shores of Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau.

The warning is in effect from 6 p.m. today through 6 p.m. Friday.

Surf of 25 to 35 feet is forecast for north shores of both islands and 20 to 25 feet along west shores.

Expect very strong breaking waves and powerful currents. Large breaking waves can make navigating channels dangerous.

The National Weather Service urges the public to:

• Stay away from the shoreline along affected coasts.
• Be prepared for road closures.
• Postpone entering or leaving affected channels until high surf subsides.

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

Visit the National Weather Service Honolulu forecast office website for updated information about ocean and weather alerts.

Speak to a Kaua‘i County lifeguard at any lifeguard station, visit the Safe Beach Day website or call the Kaua‘i Ocean Safety Bureau at 808-241-4984 for up-to-date information about Kaua‘i ocean conditions and ocean safety recommendations.