09/07/2026
Hurricane Lowell Update
The following is an update from the Honolulu Star Advertiser as of 5 am Monday, Sept 7, 2026:
A tropical storm watch has been issued for Oahu, while Kauai County remains under a hurricane warning as Lowell moves closer to the western side of the state this morning.
The watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible on Oahu within 12 to 24 hours. Any additional eastward shifts in the forecast would require a tropical storm warning for Oahu, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC). The warning for Kauai and Niihau means that hurricane conditions are expected within the warning area. “Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion,” CPHC officials said.
All islands remain under a flood watch through Tuesday afternoon. At 5 a.m. today, Lowell maintained maximum sustained winds of 115 mph, making it a Category 3 hurricane, and was centered 375 miles southwest of Lihue and 405 miles southwest of Oahu. It was moving north-northeast at 14 mph. Hurricane-force winds of 74 mph or more extend up to 60 miles from the center, and tropical storm-force winds extend up to 175 miles, according to CPHC. “A north-northeastward to northward motion at a faster forward speed is forecast through Tuesday. On the forecast track, the core of Lowell is expected to pass near or just west of Niihau tonight and early Tuesday,” forecasters said. Lowell is then forecast to turn toward the northwest and slow down by early Wednesday after passing the Hawaiian Islands. “Gradual weakening is expected through Tuesday. However, Lowell is forecast to remain a hurricane as it passes near the Hawaiian Islands.”
Although it is expected to weaken, Lowell is still expected to be a powerful Category 2 storm by tonight as it starts moving past Niihau and Kauai.
CPHC warns of the following possible hazards from Lowell:
Wind: Hurricane conditions are expected in Kauai County beginning this afternoon or evening. Wind speeds atop and on the windward and leeward sides of hills and mountains are often up to 30% stronger than the near-surface winds. Tropical storm conditions are possible on Oahu beginning this afternoon. Hurricane conditions are expected in the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument between Nihoa and French Frigate Shoals tonight, with tropical storm conditions beginning this afternoon.
Rain: Hurricane Lowell is expected to produce additional rainfall totals of 6 to 10 inches for Kauai, with maximum totals of 16 inches possible. For the Big Island, 4 to 8 inches of rain are expected, with isolated totals of 12 inches possible. For Oahu and Maui County, 4 to 8 inches of rain are expected, with isolated totals of 10 inches possible. This rainfall may produce significant flash flooding and mudslides, especially across Kauai County and portions of the Big Island.
Storm surge: The combination of storm surge and tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide: Kauai County, 2 to 4 feet, with the highest expected values along the south coast of Kauai and the island of Niihau; Oahu, up to 1 foot. The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast near and to the right of the center, where the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves. Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle and can vary greatly over short distances.
Tornadoes: Several tornadoes are possible near Kauai and Niihau this afternoon through tonight. A few tornadoes are also possible across the remainder of the Hawaiian Islands.
Surf: Swells from Lowell are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions during the next several days across many of the Hawaiian Islands.
A high surf warning is in effect for the south shores of all islands through Tuesday and for the west shores of the Big Island through Tuesday. A south-southwest swell from Hurricane Lowell is expected to rise rapidly today and peak tonight.
On Kauai and Niihau, waves of 7 to 10 feet, rapidly building to 20 to 30 feet, are expected Monday afternoon and evening. For south shores of other islands, surf of 7 to 10 feet is expected, rapidly building this afternoon and evening to 15 to 25 feet for Oahu, 12 to 20 feet for Maui County and 12 to 16 feet for the Big Island. For west shores of the Big Island, surf of 6 to 8 feet is expected, rapidly building this afternoon and evening to 12 to 16 feet.
