Update: High surf advisory for south-facing shores canceled

Update at 3:53 p.m. on May 20: The high surf advisory in effect for southern shorelines of the state has been canceled.

Update at 7:27 a.m. May 20: The high surf advisory in effect for southern shorelines of the state, including those of Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau, has been extended again. The advisory is now in effect through 6 p.m. today.

Incoming south swell energy will maintain advisory level surf along south-facing shores into the afternoon hours. Surf of 6 to 10 feet is forecast along those shorelines.

Shore breaks and dangerous currents caused by the high surf could cause injury or death.

Beachgoers, swimmers and surfers should heed all advice from ocean safety officials and exercise caution when entering the water in the advisory areas.

Update at 3:19 p.m. May 19: The high surf advisory first issued by the National Weather Service on May 16 has been extended yet again: It is now in effect through 6 a.m. Monday, due to overlapping south swells along south-facing shores.

Update at 4:37 p.m. May 18: A high surf advisory in effect for south-facing shores has been extended until 6 p.m. Sunday.

Update at 6:33 a.m. May 17: The high surf advisory for the state’s southern shorelines, including those of Kaua‘i, is now in effect until 6 p.m. Saturday.

Original post from 7:24 a.m. May 16: South-facing shores throughout the Hawaiian Islands, including on Kaua‘i, will see rough ocean conditions through the end of the week, with surf expected to rise to advisory levels.

A high surf advisory in effect until 6 p.m. Friday for all of the state’s southern shorelines. Surf of 7 to 10 feet is forecast, causing strong breaking waves and strong currents that will make swimming dangerous.

The rough conditions are the result of a combination of breezy onshore winds and a fresh, long-period south-southwest swell filling in, which is expected to peak later today through Friday.

The public is advised to heed all advice from ocean safety officials. When in doubt, don’t go out.