Large NW Swell Affecting Much of the State
Alerts (as of 1:00 a.m.)
Small Craft Advisory: Through 6 a.m. Thursday for seas up to 7 to 12 feet.
**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: Surf heights are expected to be around shoulder high to a few feet overhead today.
Kona side: Surf heights are expected to be around knee/waist high with chest high sets at standouts.
South: Surf heights are expected to be around knee/waist high with chest high sets at standouts.
A large north-northwest swell is spreading across island waters this morning. We expect elevated, dangerous surf for today for our north and west facing shores.
The next large northwest swell is forecast to start impacting the north and west facing shores of most islands Thursday night. This swell generated by former Typhoon Lan in the far northwest Pacific several days ago, is expected to bring another round of warning-level surf to the north and west facing shores of most islands. This swell is slated to peak Friday. A smaller moderate size northwest swell is expected to arrive Tuesday of next week.
The east facing shores will get some wrap from the large northwest swells. Otherwise, surf will be small due to light trade conditions.
The south facing shores will be getting some small pulses mainly from the southeast through Friday. After that, the surf will trend smaller.
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.