Category 4 Lowell expected to remain a major hurricane; public urged to monitor forecasts

Hurricane Lowell is currently a category 4 system with sustained winds of 140 mph. The Central Pacific Hurricane Center says Lowell is expected to remain a major hurricane for the next several days and interests in the Hawaiian Islands should monitor future forecasts.

At 5 a.m., Lowell was located 450 miles SSW of Hilo, Hawai’i and 605 miles SSE of Līhuʻe, Kaua’i. Lowell was moving toward the W at 10 mph, a general motion that is expected, with a gradual decrease in forward speed expected during the next couple of days. This will be followed by a turn toward the northwest and north this weekend.

The CPHC notes that some fluctuations in intensity are expected during the next few days; however, Lowell is expected to remain a major hurricane for the next several days. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 40 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles.

By this weekend, the National Hurricane Center projects Hurricane Lowell to take a rather sharp turn northward. “Lowell could be at or near major hurricane strength when it moves near the westernmost main Hawaiian Islands late Monday and Monday night,” forecasters say.

“Confidence has been increasing of a northward jog of the major hurricane in response to a digging upper level low, north of Hawaiʻi. While it is still too soon to determine the exact track of the hurricane, Lowell could bring storm surge, wind, and rainfall impacts to portions of Hawaiʻi early next week,” according to the latest forecast.

On the water, swells generated by Lowell are spreading northward and will affect portions of the Hawaiian Islands during the next several days, according to the latest National Weather Service forecast. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.