The National Weather Service has issued a high surf advisory for the north- and west-facing shores of Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, and Molokai and for the north-facing shores of Maui.

A powerful storm off the coast of Japan last week generated a large west-northwest swell that will build today and peak tonight and Tuesday.

The advisory is in effect from noon today through 6 p.m. Tuesday.

Surf along the north- and west-facing shores of Niihau and Kauai and north-facing shores of Oahu, Molokai and Maui will increase to 12 to 16 feet this afternoon and may reach heights of 15 to 20 feet over night and Tuesday.

Surf along the west-facing shores of Oahu and Molokai will increase to 8 to 12 feet this afternoon and to 10 to 14 feet over night and Tuesday.

Elsewhere on Oahu today, look for surf of 3 to 6 feet along east-facing shores and 2 to 3 feet along south-facing shores.

Outlook through Saturday, April 11: The incoming west-northwest swell will peak above the advisory level threshold Tuesday, gradually diminishing Wednesday and Thursday.