National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists in Hawaii issued a high surf advisory Friday, warning swimmers to dangerous waters.

The advisory is in effect for all east-facing coasts of Hawaii through Saturday evening, including Olomana, Maui Windward West, Kauai East, Koolau Windward, Molokai Southeast, Windward Haleakala, Big Island East and Big Island North as “moderate to large, medium”. The swell during this period produces advisory level waves.

“Waves are expected to peak this afternoon through late evening, then slowly decrease throughout the weekend,” the advisory states.

A swell is a series of waves produced by storm winds.

NWS Meteorologist Dennis Trotter said News week that it is typical for Hawaii’s waves to intensify during the transition to the winter season.

The swell is not associated with Hurricane Kristy, a Category 3 storm with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph in the eastern Pacific. Trotter, however, said there could be an increase in wave heights early next week because of Kristy, although it’s too early to tell if that will affect Hawaii.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) forecasts Kristy to exhibit “steady to rapid weakening” over the next few days. Earlier this week, the storm rapidly intensified and quickly became a major hurricane. Thursday evening, Kristy was category 5…the most powerful storm on the planet.

The NHC forecast predicts that Kristy become a post-tropical cyclone on Sunday. The storm is not expected to make landfall, but it will likely bring dangerous swells to other parts of the region.

“Swells generated by Kristy are affecting portions of the west coast of the Baja California Peninsula and will likely continue to affect the region through the weekend,” the forecast states. “These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please check (warnings and alerts) from your local weather office.”

In addition to the high surf advisory, meteorologists also issued a marine weather statement Friday morning for the windward waters of Maui County and the Big Island.

“An average swell of 6 to 8 feet NNE from 010 to 030 degrees will fill quickly today and peak this afternoon into evening,” the release said. “This swell could produce waves in north facing ports, primarily the ports of Hilo and Kahului. Mariners using these ports should use caution when entering or leaving the port and when docking or mooring. water from ships.”

A marine weather statement was also issued for waters near Southern California, as dense fog is expected to affect the coast of Los Angeles and Orange counties, the Santa Barbara Channel and “coastal waters around Point Conception southward through the southern outer waters” through Saturday morning.