Hilda Swell to Peak Thursday

Alerts

A Hydrologic Outlook has been issued by the National Weather Service. Heavy rain and flash flooding are possible Thursday and Friday as Hilda approaches the state. The NWS warns that regardless of its strength, the system will have the potential to produce very heavy rainfall and flash flooding.

A Tropical Storm Watch is posted from 6:00 p.m. Wednesday through 6:00 a.m. Saturday for the Big Island and its surrounding coastal waters. Heavy rain will likely be the greatest impact from Hilda. The cumulative chance of tropical storm conditions at this time ranges from 2 to 6 percent.

A Flash Flood Watch has been issued for the Big Island. This watch goes into effect at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday through 6:00 a.m. Saturday. Abundant moisture from weakening Hilda is expected to produce the potential for excessive runoff, rock/mudslides and fast-moving water that could create life-threatening situations.

A High Surf Warning is posted for the east side as swell generated by Hilda builds. The warning is posted through 6:00 a.m. Thursday. Wave heights of 12 to 18 feet are expected Wednesday. Expect ocean water occasionally sweeping across portions of beaches, very strong breaking waves and strong longshore and rip currents. Breaking waves may occasionally impact harbors making navigating the harbor channel difficult. Large breaking surf, significant shore break and dangerous currents will make entering the water very hazardous. Boaters should be aware of an increased number of surfers in the water.

**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: Wave heights are expected to be well overhead today for exposures open to Hilda swell.

Kona side: Wave heights ankle/knee/thigh high are expected for the best breaks open to the SW swell.

South: Hilda swell could get into the well overhead to double overhead range for spots open to the ESE.

Hilda has generated a ESE/E swell for the islands. The swell is expected to continue through the end of the work week. The swell is expected to peak Thursday.

Our current south-southwest swell is expected to continue fading. A very small southwest swell is also mixing in. No significant swells are on the horizon out of the SPAC. Small swells are expected the second half of the week but a bigger swell is possible late next week if a storm near New Zealand develops as expected.

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