Photo Credit: James Grenz

Forecast for Big Island Leeward

Swell Summary

While the fetch of trade winds to the E of the islands is somewhat limited, a steady supply of short- and medium-period wind waves/swells will be arriving from the N through NE for the next several days, primarily due to the gradient between the high and a slow-moving, gale-force low off the U.S. W coast. This will result in increased seas, with rough and choppy surf along shores exposed to the N and E. High surf along exposed E facing shores is expected, and a High Surf Advisory (HSA) is in effect starting this morning. Surf heights along N facing shores will be similar to those on E facing shores, but differing criteria between shorelines means peak surf heights along N facing shores will remain below HSA heights. Very little swell energy from the NW is expected this week, with increased potential for long-period NW swell to arrive late next weekend.

NORTH EAST

am        pm  

Surf: Knee to waist high NE short period wind swell for the morning with occasional stomach sets. This builds to waist to chest high for the afternoon.

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

NORTH WEST

am        pm  

Surf: Small scale (ankle to knee high) surf.

Conditions: Clean in the morning with SSE winds 5-10mph. Semi glassy/semi bumpy conditions for the afternoon with the winds shifting W less than 5mph.

WEST

am        pm  

Surf: Minimal (ankle high or less) surf.

Conditions: Clean in the morning with E winds 5-10mph. Semi glassy/semi bumpy conditions for the afternoon with the winds shifting to the W.

SOUTH EAST

am        pm  

Surf: Knee high E short period wind swell in the morning builds in the afternoon with occasional sets up to waist high.

Conditions: Semi choppy with ENE winds 5-10mph in the morning increasing to 10-15mph in the afternoon.

Data Courtesy of NOAA.gov and SwellInfo.com