Alert archive / Hawaii / High Surf Warnings in 2021

High Surf Warning 5, NWS Honolulu, HI

February 12, 2021Honolulu County, Kauai County, Kalawao County, Hawaii

NWS Honolulu, HI issued this high surf warning at Feb 12, 2021, 3:37 AM HST for Honolulu County, Kauai County, Kalawao County, Hawaii. It was in force for 48 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
Feb 12, 2021, 3:37 AM HST (13:37 UTC)
Expired
Feb 14, 2021, 3:53 AM HST
In force
48 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 13:41 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, 1.6 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 2021-02-12Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 15 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 2021-02-12The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -43 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 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
15 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-6 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
836 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
18 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-43 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
-10 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

139 
WHHW40 PHFO 121337
CFWHFO

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Honolulu HI
337 AM HST Fri Feb 12 2021

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

.A northwest swell arriving this afternoon will boost surf heights
above warning threshold across exposed shores of most of the
smaller islands through Saturday afternoon. A High Surf Advisory
may need to be issued later for west facing shores of the Big 
Island as this swell moves down the island chain.

HIZ001>003-006>008-012-013-017-019-020-130245-
/O.NEW.PHFO.SU.W.0005.210212T1337Z-210214T0400Z/
Niihau-Kauai Windward-Kauai Leeward-Waianae Coast-
Oahu North Shore-Oahu Koolau-Molokai Windward-Molokai Leeward-
Maui Windward West-Maui Central Valley-Windward Haleakala-
337 AM HST Fri Feb 12 2021

...HIGH SURF WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM HST SATURDAY...

* WHAT...Surf building to 25 to 35 feet along north facing shores
  of Niihau Kauai Oahu Molokai and Maui. Surf building to 22 to 26
  feet along 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...Surf will quickly rise this afternoon, exceeding warning
  levels tonight through 6 PM HST Saturday.

* 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.

Boaters should be aware of an increased number of surfers and
body boarders utilizing the harbor channel to access surfing
areas.

&&

$$
5 follow-up statements
735 
WHHW40 PHFO 130145
CFWHFO

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Honolulu HI
345 PM HST Fri Feb 12 2021

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

.A building northwest swell will rapidly boost surf heights above
the warning threshold starting this evening into tonight for the
exposed north and west shores of most of the smaller islands.
Warning level surf will hold through Saturday afternoon. A High 
Surf Advisory may need to be issued later for west facing shores 
of the Big Island as this swell moves down the island chain.

HIZ001>003-006>008-012-013-017-019-020-131445-
/O.CON.PHFO.SU.W.0005.000000T0000Z-210214T0400Z/
Niihau-Kauai Windward-Kauai Leeward-Waianae Coast-
Oahu North Shore-Oahu Koolau-Molokai Windward-Molokai Leeward-
Maui Windward West-Maui Central Valley-Windward Haleakala-
345 PM HST Fri Feb 12 2021

...HIGH SURF WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM HST SATURDAY...

* WHAT...Surf building to 25 to 35 feet along north facing 
  shores of Niihau Kauai Oahu Molokai and Maui. Surf building to 
  22 to 26 feet along 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...Surf will quickly rise this evening and tonight, 
  exceeding warning levels tonight through 6 PM HST Saturday.

* 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.

Boaters should be aware of an increased number of surfers and
body boarders utilizing the harbor channel to access surfing
areas.

&&

$$
710 
WHHW40 PHFO 131350
CFWHFO

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Honolulu HI
350 AM HST Sat Feb 13 2021

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

.Warning-level surf associated with a large northwest swell will 
continue to impact exposed north and west facing shores of the 
smaller islands through Sunday. Advisory-level surf is expected
along exposed west facing shores of the Big Island through Sunday.

HIZ001>003-006>008-012-013-017-019-020-140300-
/O.EXT.PHFO.SU.W.0005.000000T0000Z-210215T0400Z/
Niihau-Kauai Windward-Kauai Leeward-Waianae Coast-
Oahu North Shore-Oahu Koolau-Molokai Windward-Molokai Leeward-
Maui Windward West-Maui Central Valley-Windward Haleakala-
350 AM HST Sat Feb 13 2021

...HIGH SURF WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM HST SUNDAY...

* WHAT...Surf of 25 to 35 feet along north facing shores of Niihau
  Kauai Oahu Molokai and Maui. Surf of 22 to 26 feet along 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 Sunday.

* IMPACTS...High. Expect ocean water occasionally sweeping across
  portions of beaches, very strong breaking waves, beach erosion,
  and strong longshore and rip currents. Minor overwash onto
  vulnerable low-lying coastal roadways will be possible, mainly 
  through the early morning hours around the peak daily tides. 
  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.

&&

$$

HIZ023-140300-
/O.NEW.PHFO.SU.Y.0010.210213T1350Z-210215T0400Z/
Kona-
350 AM HST Sat Feb 13 2021

...HIGH SURF ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM HST SUNDAY...

* WHAT...Surf of 6 to 8 feet.

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

* WHEN...Until 6 PM HST Sunday.

* 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.

&&

$$

Gibbs
017 
WHHW40 PHFO 131406 CCA
CFWHFO

Coastal Hazard Message...CORRECTED
National Weather Service Honolulu HI
406 AM HST Sat Feb 13 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 WEST FACING SHORES OF THE BIG ISLAND...

.Warning-level surf associated with a large northwest swell will 
continue to impact exposed north and west facing shores of the 
smaller islands through Sunday. Advisory-level surf is expected
along exposed west facing shores of the Big Island through Sunday.

HIZ001>003-006>008-012-013-017-019-020-140300-
/O.EXT.PHFO.SU.W.0005.000000T0000Z-210215T0400Z/
Niihau-Kauai Windward-Kauai Leeward-Waianae Coast-
Oahu North Shore-Oahu Koolau-Molokai Windward-Molokai Leeward-
Maui Windward West-Maui Central Valley-Windward Haleakala-
406 AM HST Sat Feb 13 2021

...HIGH SURF WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM HST SUNDAY...

* WHAT...Surf of 25 to 35 feet along north facing shores of Niihau
  Kauai Oahu Molokai and Maui. Surf of 22 to 26 feet along 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 Sunday.

* IMPACTS...High. Expect ocean water occasionally sweeping across
  portions of beaches, very strong breaking waves, beach erosion,
  and strong longshore and rip currents. Minor overwash onto
  vulnerable low-lying coastal roadways will be possible, mainly 
  through the early morning hours around the peak daily tides. 
  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.

&&

$$

HIZ023-140300-
/O.NEW.PHFO.SU.Y.0010.210213T1406Z-210215T0400Z/
Kona-
406 AM HST Sat Feb 13 2021

...HIGH SURF ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM HST SUNDAY...

* WHAT...Surf of 6 to 8 feet.

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

* WHEN...Until 6 PM HST Sunday.

* 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.

&&

$$

Gibbs
553 
WHHW40 PHFO 140203
CFWHFO

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Honolulu HI
403 PM HST Sat Feb 13 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 WEST FACING SHORES OF THE BIG ISLAND...

.The large northwest swell will gradually decline tonight, but a
reinforcing west-northwest swell filling in on Sunday should
maintain warning level surf along exposed north and west facing
shores of the smaller islands through Sunday. Advisory-level surf
is expected to hold along exposed west facing shores of the Big 
Island through Sunday and potentially into Monday.

HIZ001>003-006>008-012-013-017-019-020-141515-
/O.CON.PHFO.SU.W.0005.000000T0000Z-210215T0400Z/
Niihau-Kauai Windward-Kauai Leeward-Waianae Coast-
Oahu North Shore-Oahu Koolau-Molokai Windward-Molokai Leeward-
Maui Windward West-Maui Central Valley-Windward Haleakala-
403 PM HST Sat Feb 13 2021

...HIGH SURF WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM HST SUNDAY...

* WHAT...Surf of 20 to 30 feet lowering to 20 to 25 feet on Sunday
  along north facing shores of Niihau Kauai Oahu Molokai and Maui.
  Surf of 18 to 22 feet lowering to 15 to 20 feet on Sunday along
  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 Sunday.

* IMPACTS...High. Expect ocean water occasionally sweeping 
  across portions of beaches, very strong breaking waves, beach 
  erosion, and strong longshore and rip currents. Minor overwash 
  onto vulnerable low-lying coastal roadways will be possible, 
  mainly through the early morning hours around the peak daily 
  tides. 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.

&&

$$

HIZ023-141515-
/O.CON.PHFO.SU.Y.0010.000000T0000Z-210215T0400Z/
Kona-
403 PM HST Sat Feb 13 2021

...HIGH SURF ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM HST SUNDAY...

* WHAT...Surf of 6 to 8 feet.

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

* WHEN...Until 6 PM HST Sunday.

* 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.

&&

$$
892 
WHHW40 PHFO 141353
CFWHFO

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Honolulu HI
353 AM HST Sun Feb 14 2021

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

.A large west-northwest swell will slowly decline from northwest 
to southeast down the island chain this afternoon through Monday.

HIZ006>008-012-013-017-019-020-150400-
/O.CAN.PHFO.SU.W.0005.000000T0000Z-210215T0400Z/
/O.EXB.PHFO.SU.Y.0010.000000T0000Z-210215T1600Z/
Waianae Coast-Oahu North Shore-Oahu Koolau-Molokai Windward-
Molokai Leeward-Maui Windward West-Maui Central Valley-
Windward Haleakala-
353 AM HST Sun Feb 14 2021

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

* WHAT...Surf along north facing shores of Oahu and Molokai will
  be 15 to 20 feet today, lowering to 12 to 16 feet this tonight.
  Surf along north facing shores of Maui will be 14 to 18 feet
  today, lowering to 12 to 16 feet tonight. Surf along west facing
  shores of Oahu and Molokai will be 12 to 16 feet today, lowering
  to 9 to 12 feet tonight.

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

&&

$$

HIZ001>003-150400-
/O.CAN.PHFO.SU.W.0005.000000T0000Z-210215T0400Z/
/O.EXB.PHFO.SU.Y.0010.000000T0000Z-210216T0400Z/
Niihau-Kauai Windward-Kauai Leeward-
353 AM HST Sun Feb 14 2021

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

* WHAT...Surf along north facing shores of Kauai and Niihau will
  be 18 to 22 feet today, lowering to 12 to 16 feet Monday. Surf 
  along west facing shores of Kauai and Niihau will be 14 to 18 
  feet today, lowering to 9 to 12 feet Monday.

* WHERE...North and west facing shores of Kauai and Niihau.

* WHEN...Until 6 PM 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.

&&

$$

HIZ023-150400-
/O.EXT.PHFO.SU.Y.0010.000000T0000Z-210216T0400Z/
Kona-
353 AM HST Sun Feb 14 2021

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

* WHAT...Surf will be 5 to 8 feet today, building to 6 to 9 feet 
  Monday.

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

* WHEN...Until 6 PM 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.

&&

$$

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Feb 12, 3:18 AM HSTWind AdvisoryHFOHawaii25 hr

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.