Alert archive / Hawaii / High Surf Warnings in 2021

High Surf Warning 1, NWS Honolulu, HI

January 10, 2021Honolulu County, Kauai County, Kalawao County, Hawaii

NWS Honolulu, HI issued this high surf warning at Jan 10, 2021, 3:26 AM HST for Honolulu County, Kauai County, Kalawao County, Hawaii. It was in force for 24 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Jan 10, 2021, 3:26 AM HST (13:26 UTC)
Expired
Jan 11, 2021, 3:38 AM HST
In force
24 hr
Issued by
NWS Honolulu, HI

Counties Honolulu County, HI, Kalawao County, HI, Kauai County, HI

The radar

The Molokai radar (PHMO), 116 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 13:27 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

The nearest sounding before it

Lihue, (PHLI), launched 12:00Z, 1.4 hours before the alert went out and 127 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Lihue, at 12:00Z on 2021-01-10Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 66 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Lihue, at 12:00Z on 2021-01-10The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -19 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
66 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-197 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
739 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
48 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-19 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
43 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
-0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

224 
WHHW40 PHFO 101326
CFWHFO

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Honolulu HI
326 AM HST Sun Jan 10 2021

...HIGH SURF WARNING FOR NORTH AND WEST FACING SHORES OF NIIHAU 
KAUAI OAHU MOLOKAI AND NORTH FACING SHORES OF MAUI...
...HIGH SURF ADVISORY FOR NORTH FACING SHORES OF THE BIG ISLAND 
AND WEST FACING SHORES OF MAUI...

.Surf will peak today, then ease tonight into Monday as a large 
north-northwest swell moves through. Surf will drop to advisory
levels for exposed north and west facing shores of the smaller
islands tonight.

HIZ001>003-006>008-012-013-017-019-020-110230-
/O.UPG.PHFO.SU.Y.0003.000000T0000Z-210111T1600Z/
/O.NEW.PHFO.SU.W.0001.210110T1326Z-210111T0400Z/
Niihau-Kauai Windward-Kauai Leeward-Waianae Coast-
Oahu North Shore-Oahu Koolau-Molokai Windward-Molokai Leeward-
Maui Windward West-Maui Central Valley-Windward Haleakala-
326 AM HST Sun Jan 10 2021

...HIGH SURF WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM HST THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...Surf of 20 to 25 feet along the north facing shores of
  Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, and Maui. Surf of 15 to 20 feet 
  along the west facing shores of Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, and 
  Molokai.

* WHERE...North and west facing shores of Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, 
  Molokai and north facing shores of Maui.

* WHEN...Until 6 PM HST this evening.

* IMPACTS...High. 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 dangerous.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Large, breaking surf, significant shorebreak, and dangerous
currents make entering the water very hazardous.

Anyone entering the water could face significant injury or death.

&&

$$

HIZ018-110230-
/O.EXB.PHFO.SU.Y.0003.000000T0000Z-210111T0400Z/
Maui Leeward West-
326 AM HST Sun Jan 10 2021

...HIGH SURF ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM HST THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...Surf of 8 to 12 feet along west facing shores of Maui.

* WHERE...West facing shores of Maui.

* WHEN...Until 6 PM HST this evening.

* IMPACTS...Moderate. Expect strong breaking waves, shore break, 
  and strong longshore and rip currents making swimming 
  difficult and dangerous.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Beachgoers, swimmers, and surfers should heed all advice given by
ocean safety officials and exercise caution.

&&

$$

HIZ025-110230-
/O.CON.PHFO.SU.Y.0003.000000T0000Z-210111T1600Z/
Big Island North and East-
326 AM HST Sun Jan 10 2021

...HIGH SURF ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM HST MONDAY...

* WHAT...Surf of 15 to 20 feet along north facing shores today, 
  lowering to 10 to 15 feet tonight.

* WHERE...North facing shores of the Big Island.

* WHEN...through 6 AM HST Monday.

* IMPACTS...Moderate. Expect strong breaking waves, shore break, 
  and strong longshore and rip currents making swimming 
  difficult and dangerous.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Beachgoers, swimmers, and surfers should heed all advice given by
ocean safety officials and exercise caution.

&&

$$

Gibbs
3 follow-up statements
235 
WHHW40 PHFO 101607
CFWHFO

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Honolulu HI
607 AM HST Sun Jan 10 2021

...HIGH SURF WARNING FOR NORTH AND WEST FACING SHORES OF NIIHAU
KAUAI OAHU MOLOKAI AND NORTH FACING SHORES OF MAUI AND BIG ISLAND...
...HIGH SURF ADVISORY FOR WEST FACING SHORES OF MAUI...

.Surf will peak today, then ease tonight into Monday as a large
north-northwest to north swell moves through. Surf will drop to 
advisory levels for exposed north and west facing shores tonight.

HIZ025-110515-
/O.UPG.PHFO.SU.Y.0003.000000T0000Z-210111T1600Z/
/O.EXA.PHFO.SU.W.0001.000000T0000Z-210111T0400Z/
Big Island North and East-
607 AM HST Sun Jan 10 2021

...HIGH SURF WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM HST THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...Surf of 20 to 25 feet along north facing shores today, 
  lowering to 10 to 15 feet tonight.

* WHERE...North facing shores of the Big Island.

* WHEN...Until 6 PM HST this evening.

* IMPACTS...Moderate. Expect strong breaking waves, shore break, 
  and strong longshore and rip currents making swimming 
  difficult and dangerous.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Large, breaking surf, significant shorebreak, and dangerous
currents make entering the water very hazardous.

Anyone entering the water could face significant injury or death.

&&

$$

HIZ001>003-006>008-012-013-017-019-020-110400-
/O.CON.PHFO.SU.W.0001.000000T0000Z-210111T0400Z/
Niihau-Kauai Windward-Kauai Leeward-Waianae Coast-
Oahu North Shore-Oahu Koolau-Molokai Windward-Molokai Leeward-
Maui Windward West-Maui Central Valley-Windward Haleakala-
607 AM HST Sun Jan 10 2021

...HIGH SURF WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM HST THIS
EVENING...

* WHAT...Surf of 20 to 25 feet along the north facing shores of 
  Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, and Maui. Surf of 15 to 20 feet 
  along the west facing shores of Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, and 
  Molokai.

* WHERE...North and west facing shores of Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, 
  Molokai and north facing shores of Maui.

* WHEN...Until 6 PM HST this evening.

* IMPACTS...High. 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 dangerous.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Large, breaking surf, significant shorebreak, and dangerous
currents make entering the water very hazardous.

Anyone entering the water could face significant injury or death.

&&

$$

HIZ018-110400-
/O.CON.PHFO.SU.Y.0003.000000T0000Z-210111T0400Z/
Maui Leeward West-
607 AM HST Sun Jan 10 2021

...HIGH SURF ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM HST THIS
EVENING...

* WHAT...Surf of 8 to 12 feet along west facing shores of Maui.

* WHERE...West facing shores of Maui.

* WHEN...Until 6 PM HST this evening.

* IMPACTS...Moderate. Expect strong breaking waves, shore break, 
  and strong longshore and rip currents making swimming 
  difficult and dangerous.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Beachgoers, swimmers, and surfers should heed all advice given by
ocean safety officials and exercise caution.

&&

$$
880 
WHHW40 PHFO 110159
CFWHFO

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Honolulu HI
359 PM HST Sun Jan 10 2021

...HIGH SURF WARNING FOR NORTH AND WEST FACING SHORES MOLOKAI AND
NORTH FACING SHORES OF MAUI AND THE BIG ISLAND...
...HIGH SURF ADVISORY FOR NORTH FACING SHORES OF NIIHAU KAUAI AND
OAHU AND WEST FACING SHORES OF MAUI...

.Surf will gradually lower tonight as a large north-northwest to 
north swell moves through, with highest surf expected over the 
eastern portions of the state. 

HIZ001-002-007-008-111500-
/O.CAN.PHFO.SU.W.0001.000000T0000Z-210111T0400Z/
/O.EXB.PHFO.SU.Y.0003.000000T0000Z-210111T1600Z/
Niihau-Kauai Windward-Oahu North Shore-Oahu Koolau-
359 PM HST Sun Jan 10 2021

...HIGH SURF ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM HST MONDAY...
...HIGH SURF WARNING IS CANCELLED...

* WHAT...Surf of 12 to 20 feet along north facing shores.

* WHERE...North facing shores of Kauai, Oahu, and Niihau.

* WHEN...Until 6 AM HST Monday.

* IMPACTS...Moderate. Expect strong breaking waves, shore break, 
  and strong longshore and rip currents making swimming 
  difficult and dangerous.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Beachgoers, swimmers, and surfers should heed all advice given by
ocean safety officials and exercise caution.

Boaters should expect recreational surfers and body boarders
utilizing harbor channels to access surfing areas.

&&

$$

HIZ003-006-110300-
/O.CAN.PHFO.SU.W.0001.000000T0000Z-210111T0400Z/
Kauai Leeward-Waianae Coast-
359 PM HST Sun Jan 10 2021

...HIGH SURF WARNING IS CANCELLED...

Surf had diminished below warning and advisory levels.

$$

HIZ012-013-017-019-020-025-111500-
/O.EXT.PHFO.SU.W.0001.000000T0000Z-210111T1600Z/
Molokai Windward-Molokai Leeward-Maui Windward West-
Maui Central Valley-Windward Haleakala-Big Island North and East-
359 PM HST Sun Jan 10 2021

...HIGH SURF WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM HST MONDAY...

* WHAT...Surf of 20 to 25 feet along the north and west facing
  shores of Molokai and north facing shores of Maui and the Big 
  Island.
  
* WHERE...North and west facing shores of Molokai and north 
  facing shores of Maui and the Big Island.

* WHEN...Until 6 AM HST Monday.

* IMPACTS...High. 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 dangerous.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Large, breaking surf, significant shorebreak, and dangerous
currents make entering the water very hazardous.

Anyone entering the water could face significant injury or death.

&&

$$

HIZ018-111500-
/O.EXT.PHFO.SU.Y.0003.000000T0000Z-210111T1600Z/
Maui Leeward West-
359 PM HST Sun Jan 10 2021

...HIGH SURF ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM HST MONDAY...

* WHAT...Surf of 8 to 12 feet along west facing shores of Maui.

* WHERE...West facing shores of Maui.

* WHEN...Until 6 AM HST Monday.

* IMPACTS...Moderate. Expect strong breaking waves, shore break, 
  and strong longshore and rip currents making swimming 
  difficult and dangerous.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Beachgoers, swimmers, and surfers should heed all advice given by
ocean safety officials and exercise caution.

&&

$$
956 
WHHW40 PHFO 111338
CFWHFO

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Honolulu HI
338 AM HST Mon Jan 11 2021

...HIGH SURF ADVISORY FOR NORTH FACING SHORES OF MOLOKAI MAUI AND
THE BIG ISLAND...

.Surf will hold at advisory levels through the day today as the
large north swell that peaked Sunday slowly lowers. The advisory 
for north facing shores in Maui County may need to be extended as 
another long-period northwest swell builds down the island chain 
later today through tonight. 

HIZ012-013-017-019-020-025-120245-
/O.CAN.PHFO.SU.W.0001.000000T0000Z-210111T1600Z/
/O.NEW.PHFO.SU.Y.0004.210111T1338Z-210112T0400Z/
Molokai Windward-Molokai Leeward-Maui Windward West-
Maui Central Valley-Windward Haleakala-Big Island North and East-
338 AM HST Mon Jan 11 2021

...HIGH SURF ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM HST THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...Surf of 10 to 15 feet along north facing shores.

* WHERE...North facing shores of Molokai, Maui, and the Big 
  Island.

* WHEN...Until 6 PM HST this evening.

* IMPACTS...Moderate. Expect strong breaking waves, shore break,
  and strong longshore and rip currents making swimming difficult
  and dangerous.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Beachgoers, swimmers, and surfers should heed all advice given by
ocean safety officials and exercise caution.

&&

$$

HIZ001-002-007-008-018-111445-
/O.CAN.PHFO.SU.Y.0003.000000T0000Z-210111T1600Z/
Niihau-Kauai Windward-Oahu North Shore-Oahu Koolau-
Maui Leeward West-
338 AM HST Mon Jan 11 2021

...HIGH SURF ADVISORY IS CANCELLED...

Surf has lowered below the advisory levels. 

$$

Gibbs

The office that day

Everything else NWS Honolulu, HI issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jan 9, 5:22 PM HSTSpecial Marine WarningHFO113 min
Jan 9, 5:29 PM HSTSpecial Weather StatementHFOKalawao61 min
Jan 9, 5:47 PM HSTSpecial Weather StatementHFOKalawao58 min
Jan 9, 6:51 PM HSTAreal Flood AdvisoryHFOKalawao3 hr
Jan 9, 8:06 PM HSTSpecial Marine WarningHFO114 min
Jan 9, 8:17 PM HSTAreal Flood AdvisoryHFOHawaii82 min
Jan 9, 11:05 PM HSTSpecial Marine WarningHFO115 min

Nearby

High Surf Warnings in Hawaii, 2021Every high surf warning in 2021

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.