HAWAII ISLAND – The Big Island could see 20 to 30 foot high surf today.

The National Weather Service has issued a High Surf Warning for North facing shores of the Island of Hawaii. “Surf heights are expected to build rapidly throughout the day bringing warning level surf to the Big Island by early this evening,” civil defense stated in an alert issued this morning. “Surf heights are forecast to reach 20 to 30 feet. The High Surf warning will remain in effect through tomorrow.”

Weather forecasters say a large north-northwest swell will build rapidly today, bringing warning level surf to exposed north and west facing shores of Kauai County this morning, then Oahu and Maui County this afternoon, and the Big Island by early this evening. Warning level surf will continue through Tuesday.

Expect ocean water occasionally sweeping across portions of beaches, very strong breaking waves and strong longshore and rip currents, the National Weather Service warns. Breaking waves may occasionally impact harbors making navigating the harbor channel dangerous.