Dangerous conditions expected for Niʻihau, Kauaʻi and Oʻahu as Lowell brings flooding, waves, high winds

(Update: 5 p.m. HST Monday, Sept. 7, 2026) Dangerous conditions are expected on Niʻihau, Kauaʻi and Oʻahu as Hurricane Lowell brings flash flooding, damaging waves and high winds.

At 5 p.m., the center of Hurricane Lowell was located about 170 miles SW of Līhuʻe, Kauaʻi and about 230 miles WSW of Honolulu, Oʻahu. Lowell is moving toward the north-northeast near 18 mph. A north-northeastward to northward motion is forecast through Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.

“On the forecast track, the core of Lowell is expected to pass near or just west of Niʻihau tonight and early Tuesday. Lowell is then forecast to turn toward the northwest and slow down by early Wednesday after passing the Hawaiian Islands,” the NWS reports.

Lowell is a Category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds near 110 mph and higher gusts. Weakening is expected over the next several days; however, Lowell is forecast to remain a hurricane as it passes near the Hawaiian Islands tonight into early Tuesday.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 70 miles center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 175 miles. Līhuʻe Airport on Kauaʻi recently reported sustained winds of 38 mph with a gust to 49 mph, the NWS reports.

A Hurricane Warning remains in effect for Kauaʻi and Niʻihau, as well as the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument from Nihoa to French Frigate Shoals. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Oʻahu.

WIND: Hurricane conditions are expected in Kauaʻi County beginning this 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, according to the NWS. Tropical storm conditions are expected on Oʻahu beginning this evening. Hurricane conditions are expected in the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument between Nihoa and French Frigate Shoals tonight, with tropical storm conditions beginning this afternoon.

RAINFALL: Lowell is expected to produce additional rainfall totals of 4 to 8 inches for Kauaʻi, with maximum storm totals of 24 inches possible. For the Big Island, an additional 3 to 8 inches of rain is expected with isolated storm totals of 12 inches possible. For Oʻahu and Maui county, an additional 2 to 5 inches of rain is expected with isolated storm totals of 10 inches possible. This rainfall may produce significant flash flooding and mudslides, especially across Kauaʻi county and portions of the Big Island, the NWS reports.

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: Kauaʻi County (2-4 ft), with the highest expected values along the south coast of Kauaʻi and the island of Niʻihau; and Oʻahu (up to 1 ft). 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, according to the NWS.

TORNADOES: Several tornadoes are possible near Kauaʻi and Niʻihau this evening through overnight. A few tornadoes are also possible across the remainder of the Hawaiian Islands, the NWS reports.

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.