High surf advisory in effect this weekend for south-facing shores of Big Island

A large south swell will gradually fill in Aug. 8 and peak Aug. 9 near warning thresholds, causing strong breaking waves and strong currents along the state’s south-facing shorelines.

Forecasters with the National Weather Service in Honolulu issued a high surf advisory for those shores that will be in effect the entire weekend, from 6 a.m. Aug. 8 through 6 a.m. Aug. 11.

The advisory includes the south-facing shorelines of Kaʻū, Puna and North and South Kona on the Big Island.

“A high surf advisory means surf will be higher than normal,” said Hawai‘i County Civil Defense in an afternoon message Thursday. “Breaking waves and strong currents will make swimming dangerous. Beachgoers, swimmers and surfers should heed all advice given by ocean safety officials and exercise caution when entering the water.”

Large breaking waves of 7 to 10 feet are forecast by Aug. 8 along the southern shores of the island, with wave heights increasing to between at least 10 and 14 feet by Aug. 9.

National Weather Service forecasters echoed Civil Defense officials, saying the public should heed all advice from ocean safety officials.

Remember: When in doubt, don’t go out.

They also extended the time period for coastal flooding for this weekend, with flooding now expected along coastlines and low-lying coastal areas through late the night of Aug. 10.