A large north swell will quickly make its way into the area, reaching the northern Marshall Islands by Thursday night. These waves are being generated by a strong north Pacific cyclone currently about 2000mi north-northeast of Wake Island. This system is continuing east-northeast into the central north Pacific packing winds near hurricane/typhoon force on the western side of the system. Wave model guidance shows 7-11 foot north swell with periods of 14-17 sec around the peak of this event Friday - also well timed with the full moon phase and its higher high tides. All this supports the development of hazardous surf and marine conditions for small craft. Additionally for islands and atolls well exposed to the north, there will be the increased threat for significant erosion and some minor inundation. Today's PacIOOS wave run-up guidance for Majuro still shows the potential for minor inundation around high tides. While more southern atolls could see some shadowing from atolls farther north, the northernmost atolls will see the largest and unimpeded swells. The greatest risk for coastal inundation will be along north facing shores exposed to the open ocean, but also within the lagoons as water can pile into lagoons if open to the ocean on their north and closed along the southern edge with few reef passes to allow water to flow through. Residents should monitor local sea conditions and forecasts and be alert for minor flooding and debris on roads and property near shore lines, along with hazardous surf, swimming, and boating conditions. Stay up to date with information from your Weather Service Office in Majuro, and any information shared from local emergency management offices. The latest Majuro forecasts can be found at weather.gov/gum/PublicForecasts.
