WHEN.SURF FORECAST Oahu North Shore

Solid long period NW swell is peaking with well overhead to double-overhead-plus surf and clean, glassy conditions. Light winds and a mid-rising tide keep faces lined up, but the size and power are serious and currents are strong. Heavy but high-quality surf for those with the skills.

Strong NW swell eases just a notch but stays solid overhead to well overhead, with long 16-second periods bringing lully but powerful sets. Light offshore flow and a small morning high tide make for clean, lined-up walls and classic winter vibes on the North Shore.

NW swell slowly eases but still sends overhead sets, with long-period lulls between pulses. Light southwest sea breeze develops late morning, adding some texture though many lines remain makeable. Dropping tide toward a very low midafternoon level will sharpen up some reefs but can get a bit racy on the shallower ones.

Fading but still solid NW swell gives chest to overhead surf, with the bigger sets coming through on the 15-second pulse. Modest west-southwest winds bring a bit more crumble and bump. The afternoon starts around a very low tide, then slowly fills in, so expect punchier, shallower conditions early, mellowing slightly toward dusk.

Rapidly building overlapping NW swells push surf toward XL territory, with powerful well-overhead to double-overhead-plus sets and increasing consistency. A cold front brings moderate southwest to north winds, rising chop, and periods of moderate showers. Conditions are hazardous with strong currents and shifting rips despite the rising morning tide.

An XL long period NW swell surges, likely reaching full-on warning-level with massive, triple-overhead range surf and long, punishing sets. Strong northerly onshore winds and a mid-afternoon extreme low tide leave most spots extremely jumbled, closing out, and dangerous. This is a serious, high-risk afternoon on the North Shore.