Hawaii Swell Models

[mccabejc]

Was searching around the web for some swell forecast info for hawaii, and found this:

http://www.soest.hawaii.edu/~buoy/hawaii_ww3_model/loop.gif

(some more swell models: http://www.omaui.com/HawaiiCloseupSwellModels.php)

It looks like the west/Kona side of the big island is typically blocked from northern swells by the other islands, especially Maui. Also, the Puako area looks like the best bet when heavy northern swells are hitting.

Interesting. We have a similar situation here in SoCal, where the Channel Islands (like Catalina) block the coast during NW swells.

The reason for my interest is that I'll be in Kona next week, and I noticed on the Wetsand forecasts for Hawaii (http://www.wetsand.com/swellwatch/swellwatch.asp?CatId=839) there are some huge NW swells predicted for Hawaii for the next week.

 

[gkndivebum]

We're having a bit of NW swell here right now -- pretty typical for this time of year. It can
stop any time :07:

The Puako area is very nice, but in the winter you need to dive it in the morning, before
the wind kicks up.

While not specific to the Big Island, Pat Caldwell's surf forecast is usually spot on.

The Kona side of the Big Island does tend to get shielded somewhat from most northerly
and northwesterly swell -- swell from the west and south affects us much more.

I can usually tell what kind of day it's going to be if I see surfers down at Lyman's. If they're
happy, I probably shouldn't go diving :11:

Another web resource I use is The National Weather Service Honolulu

 

[mccabejc]

I noticed there's a high surf warning for the West coast of the big island:

"URGENT - HIGH SURF MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HONOLULU HI
400 AM HST MON MAR 7 2005

HIGH SURF ADVISORY FOR WEST FACING SHORES OF THE BIG ISLAND OF
HAWAII THROUGH TUESDAY..."

According to swell predictions it's supposed to peak tonight.

However, looking at the Konaweb camera (www.konaweb.com) right now at Kailua-Kona (on the west facing side of the big island), the ocean is flat.

So what is the NWS referring to?

 

[friscuba]

Konaweb's webcam position is somewhat deceiving as far as a west swell is concerned because the bay doesn't actually face west for the most part. I've always thought of it as facing west, 'til I took out the compass... the pier faces pretty much north/South. It'll really get rocking on Konaweb's webcam when we have a good south or southwest swell or an absolutely huge west well. Take a look in the morning and you might see some waves, but not for sure. The west swell is supposed to come up tonight and come down fairly quickly.

later,

Steve

I noticed there's a high surf warning for the West coast of the big island:

"URGENT - HIGH SURF MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HONOLULU HI
400 AM HST MON MAR 7 2005

HIGH SURF ADVISORY FOR WEST FACING SHORES OF THE BIG ISLAND OF
HAWAII THROUGH TUESDAY..."

According to swell predictions it's supposed to peak tonight.

However, looking at the Konaweb camera (www.konaweb.com) right now at Kailua-Kona (on the west facing side of the big island), the ocean is flat.

So what is the NWS referring to?