Hurricane Lowell remains a powerful major hurricane in the Pacific, fueled by warm ocean waters and a favorable atmospheric environment across the basin during El Niño. FOX Weather Meteorologist Steve Bender breaks down the latest forecast, where the storm is headed and the impacts expected across Hawaii.
THE TAKEAWAY
- Sunday: Hawaii’s impacts begin with showers and thunderstorms across the island chain.
- Monday: Lowell makes its closest approach with the potential for tropical storm-forced wind gusts.
- Tuesday: Lowell pulls away, but hazards linger, including the threat of flash flooding.
Hurricane Lowell is forecast to make a sharp turn north in the Pacific Ocean over the coming days, bringing a growing threat of dangerous surf, flooding, rain, strong winds and coastal impacts to Hawaii.
As the storm churns across the Central Pacific, here’s a day-by-day look at Lowell’s forecast and when Hawaii is expected to begin feeling its impacts.
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LOWELL INTENSIFIES BACK TO MONSTER CATEGORY 4 HURRICANE AHEAD OF TURN TOWARD HAWAII
Saturday
On Saturday, Lowell will begin its dramatic turn north, placing the western Hawaiian Islands squarely in its path. The hurricane is forecast to remain an extremely dangerous Category 4 storm and could briefly regain Category 5 strength.
By Saturday afternoon, Lowell’s center will still be more than 600 miles south of Kauai, but Hawaii will already begin feeling the storm’s reach as dangerous surf starts building across the islands and conditions begin to deteriorate.
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High surf and dangerous rip currents will continue to build through Saturday afternoon across the Hawaiian island chain, with coastal advisories in effect and waves of up to 14 feet expected.
TRACK HURRICANE LOWELL: PATH, FORECAST CONE, SPAGHETTI MODELS, WIND AND MORE
Meanwhile, preparations should be well underway on Kauai, as this may be the last meaningful window to secure property and finalize plans before conditions rapidly deteriorate with Lowell’s approach.
Surf Alerts.
Sunday
By Sunday, Lowell will likely be moving north and slowly weakening into a Category 4 or strong Category 3 hurricane.
Ahead of the storm, increased tropical moisture will usher in showers and thunderstorms across much of the island chain.
Hurricane Lowell raged at Category 4 strength on Friday, Sept. 4.
(FOX Weather)
High Surf Advisories are likely to remain in effect through the end of the weekend as Hurricane Lowell inches closer. Waves are expected to build even higher across the western Hawaiian Islands, including Kauai, with offshore seas reaching 15 feet or more overnight.
Hurricane Lowell Timing.
Monday
Across the western Hawaiian Islands, impacts will begin on Monday.
Lowell will likely maintain major hurricane strength as it continues north, with the center around 300 miles southwest of the island chain by midday.
Hurricane Lowell Future Track.
By afternoon, winds will begin increasing across Kauai and Oahu, with tropical-storm-force gusts possible on Kauai into the overnight hours.
Wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph will also be possible farther east on Oahu, and rain will continue across the island chain as southerly winds push moisture into the southern portions of the islands.
MAJOR HURRICANE LOWELL COULD FOLLOW EERILY SIMILAR TRACK TO THE WORST HURRICANE IN HAWAII’S HISTORY
Tuesday
By Tuesday, Lowell will continue weakening as it accelerates northward, likely dropping to a Category 2 hurricane by the afternoon and losing its major hurricane status.
Rain will begin to slow during the afternoon but could remain moderate across the western islands, while dangerous surf continues.
Hawaii Rain Forecast.
Tropical-storm-force winds are expected to impact Kauai from Monday night through early Tuesday morning before gradually diminishing by Tuesday evening.
As Lowell pulls away, surf will slowly begin to subside, but not before parts of the island receive 5–8 inches of rain, with localized totals approaching a foot, increasing the risk of flash flooding.
Stay with FOX Weather for the latest updates on Hurricane Lowell’s track, intensity and future impacts.
