Posted on: Saturday, December 29, 2001

Big surf headed for North Shore

Advertiser Staff

Forget the fireworks — ocean thunder is coming.

Surf on the North Shore was expected to be 6 to 10 feet today, but come tomorrow afternoon, the big boys will roll in: waves of 20 to 25 feet, according to the National Weather Service.

That swell is predicted to last through Tuesday evening, New Year's Day, bringing with it dangerous conditions and waves that thunder ashore.

"Every winter we have high surf, but this winter the storms are tracking further south and the storms are a little stronger," said meteorologist Wyman Au.

On the North Shore yesterday, the surf was smaller than it had been in recent days — 8 to 12 feet rather than the 15 to 20 it had been.

No damage was reported to homes or property during the week. But surf did wash sand over the road in some areas.

Likewise, there were no calls for rescues, but the dangerous conditions kept city lifeguards on alert, warning all but experts to stay out of the water.

If the coming waves reach high-surf warning levels, lifeguards will again be out advising everyone to stay out of the water and keep well away from the shorebreak.