Tsunami warning systems are firing on all of the Hawaiian islands today. An earthquake in Chile of magnitude 8.8 is causing the big wave to ripple across the Pacific. Wave heights are expected to be relatively small, between 3 and 7 feet, compared to the natural tide. Forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predict that the tide will rise 5 feet along coastal areas within 15 minutes at about 11:20 am HST. NOAA forecasters are also calling for increased tides in coastal areas along the West coast. If in doubt, move to higher ground.
Category Archives: Weather
Giant waves washing over Hawaii
Grab your big wave surf board and all the courage you can muster, weather forecasters say that 25+ foot waves now hitting Hawaii’s north and west shores will persist until tomorrow, tapering off through Saturday (see http://www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl/pages/SRF.php ). The waves are the largest of the winter surf season so far.
Waves this big haven’t hit the islands since 2007, when Waimea Bay on Oahu’s North Shore broke just in time for the Edde Aikau big wave tournament. Peahi (aka Jaws) on Maui’s North Shore also broke to record crowds of wanna-be riders, film crews and celebrity onlookers. Two Oahu contests are underway now.
If sliding down a wave as tall as a 3-story building seems a little crazy to you, then grab your binoculars, thermos and beach chair. Spectating these monster waves from the safety of shore is a rare treat worth fighting traffic to see.
San Francisco’s wintry summer
I travel to San Francisco often for business and leisure. It’s just a hop over the pond from Hawaii, and I was thinking recently of planning a visit this summer. Then remembered to my dismay that it’s July — the worst time of year to go. Not because of crowds, but because of the weather. This may seem odd because the middle of summer may seem like the best time of year to visit any city at the edge of a temperate zone. But SF is different.
Locals and former residents aside, most casual travelers aren’t aware that winter typically happens in June or July, exactly the opposite of when it’s expected. So when all of the summer tourists are in town shivering in the drizzle at the Wharf or Chinatown, February looms like a beacon of pleasantness–light crowds, balmy weather, off-season discounts and tables open at the finest restaurants.
Mark Twain said, ” the coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.” Wise words to travel by. I’ve decided to go in February instead.