Lowell is forecast to move close to Kauaʻi County Monday night as a category 2 to 3 hurricane

(Update: 5 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026) Lowell is forecast to turn northward on Sunday and approach the western Hawaiian Islands on Monday. Interests in Hawaiʻi should closely monitor Lowell’s progress. Watches will likely be required for portions of the western main Hawaiian Islands and the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument later today.

The National Weather Service forecast discussion notes that Hurricane Lowell is forecast to move close to Kauaʻi County Monday night as a category 2 to 3 hurricane. Impacts such as high surf and heavy rain are forecast to extend hundreds of miles from the center of Hurricane Lowell, potentially impacting any of the islands.

At 5 a.m. HST, the center of Hurricane Lowell was located about 630 miles SSW of Līhuʻe, Kauaʻi and 625 miles SSW of Honolulu, Oʻahu. The system was moving toward the west near 7 mph. A turn toward the northwest is expected by tonight, followed by a faster motion toward the north and north-northeast on Sunday and Monday. On the forecast track, the center of Lowell will move across portions of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, just to the west of the main Hawaiian Islands, Monday night.

Maximum sustained winds are near 150 mph with higher gusts, placing Lowell at category 4 status. Fluctuations in intensity are possible during the next day or so, followed by a gradual weakening trend on Sunday and Monday. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 160 miles.

Hurricane Lowell is expected to produce rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches, with maximum totals exceeding 10 inches possible, for Kauai and the Big Island. For Maui, 2 to 4 inches of rain is expected, with isolated maximum totals of 8 inches possible. Across the remaining islands, rainfall of 1 to 2 inches with maximum amounts of 4 inches is possible.

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.

As for Hurricane Karina, it is expected to weaken and pass northeast of the state. “A moist area
left from the remains of Karina is now modeled to move through the area Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday night, possibly providing an especially wet period,” according to the NWS.

The NWS reports that late next week, surf along east facing shores could be bolstered by some medium-period swells generated by Hurricane Marie in the East Pacific.