While forecasters had been calling for the high surf expected on north- and west-facing shores today, strong Kona winds kicked up a huge wind swell along southern shores yesterday. The southern shore was belted with surf face heights reportedly about
While forecasters had been calling for the high surf expected on north- and west-facing shores today, strong Kona winds kicked up a huge wind swell along southern shores yesterday.
The southern shore was belted with surf face heights reportedly about 25-foot yesterday, forcing the Kaua’i Fire Department’s Ocean Safety Bureau to close beaches from Salt Pond to Shipwreck’s (Keoneloa Bay).
Meanwhile, beaches of north- and west- facing shores remained open, but the biggest winter swell of the season is expected to peak today, with wave-face heights reaching 30 feet or bigger. North Shore beaches will probably be closed if wave heights do reach forecasted levels.
The National Weather Service issued a high-surf advisory for south-facing shores yesterday, and continued a high-surf warning for north-and west-facing shores through today.
Ocean Safety Bureau supervisors and lifeguards recommend the public stay out of ocean waters island-wide because of the huge swells.
The Pacific Missile Range Facility in Mana closed its doors to the public yesterday due to hazardous wave conditions, said Vida Mossman, Public Affairs Specialist at PMRF. “The surf is humungous,” Mossman said yesterday.
