Forecast for Big Island Leeward

Swell Summary

Surf along north and west facing shores will remain very small through Friday. Broad northwest Pacific low pressure located near the western Aleutians is forecast to track east toward the Date Line through the day. Model guidance shows an area of strong to gale force winds along its southern periphery that will be focused along a northwest (310-320 degree) great circle path directed at the islands. This small, short to medium period northwest swell is scheduled to arrive and boost north and west facing shore surf Saturday night into Sunday, hold on Monday and then drop off Tuesday.

Surf along east facing shores should gradually trend up through the remainder of the week and weekend as fresh trades expand well upstream of the islands.

South facing shore surf will remain small through Friday but will pick up a bit over the weekend with the arrival of the next very small, long period south swell. Expect this trend to hold next week with another small, long period south swell possibly arriving Tuesday and holding through the middle of next week.

NORTH EAST

am        pm  

Surf: Ankle high E short period wind swell for the morning going more ENE and building into the knee to waist range in the afternoon.

Conditions: Sideshore texture/chop with SE winds 10-15mph in the morning shifting ESE 15-20mph in the afternoon.

NORTH WEST

am        pm  

Surf: Minimal (ankle high or less) surf.

Conditions: Fairly clean in the early morning with S winds 5-10mph. Sideshore texture/chop conditions move in during the morning hours with the winds shifting SW.

WEST

am        pm  

Surf: Minimal (ankle high or less) surf.

Conditions: Light sideshore texture in the morning with SSE winds 5-10mph. Sideshore texture/chop conditions for the afternoon with the winds shifting to the NNW.

SOUTH EAST

am        pm  

Surf: Ankle high E short period wind swell in the morning builds a bit for the afternoon.

Conditions: Light sideshore texture in the morning with NE winds 5-10mph. Semi glassy conditions for the afternoon as the winds lighten to less than 5mph.

Data Courtesy of NOAA.gov and SwellInfo.com