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Time-lapse movie of Mauna Kea summit November 2-11, 2011

By Hawaii 24/7 Staff UPDATED 10:25 a.m. 11/12/11

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a high surf advisory for East facing shores of Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui and the Big Island through 6 p.m. Sunday (Nov 13). Strong trade winds will create seven to 10 foot or higher rough and choppy surf shores through the end of the week.

A North Pacific swell combined with wind waves from strong trade winds has been creating hazardous surf conditions.

The high surf will create dangerous rip currents and beach erosion. Beachgoers should use caution and if swimmers are caught in a rip current they should not try to swim against the current, instead swim parallel to the shore until out of the current then swim towards the shore.

Rain showers are forecast for the windward and mauka areas of the Hawaiian islands today.

A small craft advisory is in effect for all coastal Hawaiian waters.

A winter weather advisory is in effect for the Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea above 8,000 feet until 6 p.m. Saturday (Nov 12). Snow has accumulated up to two inches with some higher amounts, also sleet and freezing rain will make driving on summit roadways hazardous.

As of 8:30 a.m. Saturday (Nov 12) there was about an inch of snow on the cinder cones with lots of rocks sticking out of the snow making bodyboarding or skiing inadvisable. The roadway is open to the public.

For current information on Mauna Kea Access Road conditions – mkwc.ifa.hawaii.edu/current/road-conditions

Friday (Nov 11) on Mauna Kea. Photo courtesy of UH-Hilo