High Surf Warning for Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau extended to 6 p.m. Dec. 22

Published on December 20, 2024

3:30 PM Dec. 20 UPDATE: High Surf Warning extended to 6 p.m. Dec. 22

The National Weather Service (NWS) has extended a High Surf Warning for west- and north-facing shores of Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau through 6 p.m. Dec. 22. The warning may be extended, dropped, or modified as conditions develop.

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The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a High Surf Warning for west- and north-facing shores of Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau in effect 6 a.m. Dec. 18 to 6 p.m. Dec. 19. The warning may be extended, dropped, or modified as conditions develop.

The NWS is forecasting that a series of large northwest-to-north-northwest swells will build down the island chain overnight and Wednesday, peaking Wednesday night and Thursday. Surf may reach High Surf Advisory levels as early as the late night hours and is expected to reach High Surf Warning levels by Wednesday afternoon. Additional swell pulses from a similar direction will lead to periods of extra large surf through the weekend.

Surf is forecasted to rise to 18 to 25 feet along north-facing shores, and 12 to 18 feet along west-facing shores.

Entering the water in these areas during the High Surf Warning is very hazardous and could cause serious injury or death. Beachgoers are also advised to use extreme caution, as large breaking waves could make it dangerous for those standing along the shoreline.

For updated information on ocean and weather alerts, visit the NWS website, www.weather.gov/hfo.

For up-to-date information about Kaua‘i ocean conditions and ocean safety, please speak to a county lifeguard at any lifeguard station, visit www.safebeachday.com, or call the Ocean Safety Bureau at 808-241-4984.

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