In the midst of a cold, snowy winter, many Americans dream of an escape to Hawaii, our 50th State and the land of perpetual summer. Blessed with a mild, stable climate, beautiful scenery and spectacular seascapes, the residents of that island chain need only deal with occasional heavy rains, wayward hurricanes and, on the Big Island, the threat of volcanic eruptions and lava flows.
But this week, the northern beaches of this tropical archipelago will be raked by massive waves, courtesy of a potent storm in the North Pacific. Moving slowly to the east, the storm has generated strong, northwest winds, which have stabilized near 60 mph; these winds produce large swells over the open ocean, which, in this case, are moving off to the southeast. The Hawaiian Islands are directly in their path and waves of 20-35 feet are expected along the north and west facing beaches.
A godsend for surfers, the waves may prove to be destructive in some areas. Of course, those Americans shoveling ice and snow in sub-zero temperatures may find it hard to be sympathetic!
