Category 3 Hurricane Lowell nears Hawaii, bringing heavy rain and dangerous surf
Hurricane Lowell, a Category 3 storm with 115 mph winds, is moving toward Hawaii's western islands, already causing flash floods on Oahu and rough surf on the south coast.
Lowell, which peaked as a Category 5 hurricane last week, has weakened to Category 3 with sustained winds of 115 mph as it approaches the Hawaiian archipelago. The National Hurricane Center placed the storm 455 miles southwest of Lihue, moving north-northeast at 10 mph, and issued a hurricane warning for Kauaʻi County and nearby marine protected areas. Governor Josh Green declared a state of emergency on Thursday, and rain from the storm’s outer bands has already caused flash flooding on Oahu’s Kamehameha Highway.
Computer models indicate the center will pass 100-150 miles west-southwest of Kauaʻi, meaning the islands will still face gusts of 30-40 mph, up to a foot of rain in some spots, and surf reaching 20 feet along south and west-facing coasts. Rough surf and coastal flooding are expected to begin Monday afternoon, with the storm expected to accelerate northward and weaken by Tuesday evening. NOAA satellite imagery shows Lowell approaching the islands, while one outlet Forecast Center notes the storm is being steered by an upper-level trough north of the Hawaiian chain.
Why it matters
The approaching hurricane threatens widespread flooding, wind damage and dangerous surf for Hawaii’s residents and infrastructure.
How this story developed
- Aug 30 Pacific Hurricane Karina Reaches Category 1 Strength, Threatens Coastal Swells
- Aug 31 A tropical storm warning now covers sections of the Louisiana and Texas shoreline as Potential Tropical Cyclone Five approaches, with the possibility of becoming Tropical Storm Edouard.
- Aug 31 The UN says a rapidly intensifying El Niño may become the strongest in 70 years, raising the risk of droughts, floods and heat worldwide through early 2027.
- Sep 1 Edouard was upgraded from a depression to a tropical storm and now carries a hurricane watch for parts of the Texas and Louisiana coasts.
- Sep 1 Edouard reached the Gulf Coast near Johnson Bayou and tracked westward into southeastern Texas.
- Sep 3 UN says the El Niño is expected to remain in place until February 2027.
- Sep 5 Karina has been upgraded to Category 1 strength.
- Sep 7 Britain announced cuts of more than 80 % to bilateral aid in eight African states.
- Sep 7 UK models show a higher likelihood of stormier, wetter conditions during autumn and winter.
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