UPDATE (8 a.m. – Nov. 10) – Surf is forecast to increase up to 16 feet today, Hawaii County Civil Defense reports this morning. “Highest impacts will coincide with the high tide period, which will occur at 9 AM this morning,” officials say. “Oceanfront residents, surfers and beachgoers along the affected shores are advised to be on the alert for possible high and dangerous surf. You are advised to exercise caution due to the unpredictability of huge swells and dangerous surf.”

Due to potential High Surf impacts and debris, Hilo Bayfront Highway is closed. Additional closures of roads and beaches may occur without notice, civil defense says.

UPDATE (10 p.m. – Nov. 9) – Hawaii Police Department reports that Bayfront Highway in Hilo is closed in both directions due to high surf conditions.

(BIVN) – A High Surf Advisory is now in effect for east facing shores of Hawaii Island until 6 p.m. Friday.

“Surf along east facing shores will quickly rise and exceed advisory levels this afternoon,” the National Weather Service in Honolulu stated on Thursday, forecasting that the surf will “peak tonight through Friday near warning levels, then gradually trend down over the weekend.”

“Dangerous beach conditions will result due to a combination of large surf and strong currents,” forecasters say. “Some overwash onto vulnerable coastal roadways will be possible late tonight through the Friday morning hours around high tide due to a combination of large surf and higher than normal water levels.”

Surf heights of 6 to 10 feet are expected this afternoon, rising to 10 to 14 feet late tonight through Friday.

The Hawaii County Civil Defense issued an audio alert message on the high surf at noon on Thursday. HCCD said:

The National Weather Service has issued a High Surf Advisory for the East facing shores of Kohala, Hamakua, Hilo and Puna starting this afternoon through the weekend. A High Surf Advisory means there is a threat to life and property from the surf.

Surf is forecasted to increase up to 15 feet starting later today. Highest impacts will coincide with the high tide period, which will occur at 8 PM tonight, and 9 AM tomorrow.

Oceanfront residents and beachgoers along the affected shores are advised to be on the alert for possible high and dangerous surf. You are advised to exercise caution due to the unpredictability of huge swells and dangerous surf. As a precaution, boat owners and oceanfront residents should take action to secure their property.

Due to potential high surf impacts and debris, closures of roads and beaches may occur without notice.

In a separate Marine Weather Statement, the National Weather Service warned that surges are possible in north facing harbors.

“A building long period north-northeast swell could produce moderate surges in north facing harbors,” the weather forecasters said, “including Hilo and Kahului harbors… This swell will also produce breaking waves near the harbor entrances. Mariners using these harbors should exercise caution when entering or leaving port and when mooring or launching vessels.”