Large Advisory Level SSW Swell Peaks Today

Alerts

A Marine Weather Alert is posted for all coastal waters. A long-period south swell will bring potential for moderate to heavy surges in harbors facing the south and may lead to waves breaking in and near harbor entrances (especially around low tide and during the morning hours). Extreme tide changes could lead to locally strong currents even in channel entrances. Boaters should be alert to larger than normal surf along south shores this weekend.

A High Surf Advisory is in effect through Monday at 6:00 p.m. for surf rising to 8 to 12 feet (with higher sets) along south facing shores. The swell is expected to peak Monday, then slowly fade Tuesday. Use caution when near the ocean during this time.

**Click directly on the images below to make them larger. Charts include: Big Island projected winds, tides, swell direction & period and expected wave heights.**

Big Island Surf Forecast

Hilo side: Waist high waves or less are expected today.

Kona side: Wave heights of head high to a few feet overhead are expected for southerly exposures. The best breaks could get bigger on the sets. Smaller for Kona and southerly spots not directly exposed to the swell.

South: Wave heights of several feet overhead to double overhead are expected today.

A long-period south-southwest swell continues to build at buoys and a high surf advisory remains in effect through Monday. This advisory is likely to be extended based on current model trends. Based on current trends however, there is a strong likelihood the advisory will need an extension in time. The swell is expected to peak on Monday, then gradually fade Tuesday and Wednesday.

A slightly smaller south-southwest swell is expected from Wednesday into Saturday, peaking Thursday/Friday with likely surf near advisory levels.

Small and relatively short-period northwest swells are forecasted to continue throughout the week, with a slightly larger northwest expected next weekend.

Hurricane Andres in the far East Pacific has generated a long period east swell that is forecasted to arrive around Tuesday and persist into next weekend. Initial swells are expected to be small, but the swell is forecast to grow to the point that an advisory may be needed for east facing shores before next weekend.

Keep in mind, surf heights are measured on the face of the wave from trough to crest. Heights vary from beach to beach, and at the same beach, from break to break.  

**Click here for your detailed Big Island weather report.**

Image: NOAA / NWS

Image: NOAA / NWS

Image: NOAA / NWS

Image: NOAA / NWS

Image: NOAA / NWS

Image: NOAA / NWS

Image: NOAA / NWS