Posted at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, October 16, 2002
Winter waves churning up North Shore
By Mike Gordon
Advertiser Staff Writer
The National Weather Service forecast wave faces of 10 to 15 feet today, a break in the action tomorrow and waves up to 20 feet on Friday.
Veteran North Shore lifeguard Lt. Pat Kelly called conditions this morning "a dark, anything could happen day."
"We're expecting bigger waves later this week," Kelly said. "It is a good warm-up for later. Everyone is on their toes."
Weather conditions today were "moist and unstable," said meteorologist and lead forecaster Jeff Powell.
A concentration of heavy showers and thunderstorms were 300 miles to the southwest and continued moving toward the Islands. A flood watch was in effect until 4 p.m. for all islands except Kaua'i, although thundershowers could form "at any time," Powell said.
Heavy rain will be possible through Friday but should begin to clear Saturday, Powell said, when "sluggish winds" will begin to shift back to trades.
Leeward Maui received heavy rain this morning, prompting the weather service to briefly issue an urban and small stream flood advisory.
