High surf warning for west-facing shores of Big Island beginning Wednesday night

The National Weather Service has issued a high surf warning for west-facing shores of the Big Island from Wednesday evening through Thursday afternoon.

A very large northwest swell will build late Tuesday night and Wednesday and peak Wednesday night and early Thursday.

The combination of large wind waves from strong west winds and a mix of medium and longer period swell energy will produce very rough and hazardous conditions into Thursday. The swell will gradually decline and shift out of the north-northwest Friday through the weekend.

The forecast is for dangerously large breaking waves of 10 to 15 feet in Kona and Kohala.

Expect very strong breaking waves and powerful currents. Waves breaking in channel entrances may make navigating the channels dangerous.

Due to large wind waves from strong west winds and a mix of medium and longer period swell energy, rough conditions could lead to overwash of some coastal infrastructure and beach erosion.

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