Tropical Storm Warning issued for Kauaʻi and Niʻihau; Lowell to make its closest approach Monday night

A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for the islands of Kauaʻi and Niʻihau as Lowell continues to turn more toward the north-northeast tonight into Monday while accelerating. The eye of Lowell is currently forecast to make its closest approach to the main Hawaiian Islands Monday night, passing 100 to 200 miles west of Niʻihau, according to the National Weather Service.

At 5 a.m. HST, the eye of major Hurricane Lowell was located about580 miles SSW of Līhuʻe, Kauaʻi, and was moving toward the NNW at 6 mph. Lowell is a category 3 (111 to 129 mph) hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph.

“Some fluctuations in intensity are expected in the short term, with gradual weakening expected into Monday. A faster rate of weakening is expected by Monday night and Tuesday due to an increase of vertical wind shear and dry mid level air,” according to the National Weather Service.

Strong, gusty winds on the eastern side of Lowell’s circulation are expected to affect Kauaʻi and Niʻihau as Hurricane Lowell passes, the NWS reports. Winds will increase on Monday as the hurricane approaches the western end of the chain. Based on the current forecast, tropical storm force winds, sustained 39 mph or higher, is expected Monday afternoon. The NWS advises the public to plan to have preparations for damaging winds complete before midday Monday, with winds peaking Monday night. Even higher gusts, 60 mph or more, are possible over Kauaʻi and Niʻihau where winds are accelerated by terrain.

Starting later today, a very large shield of deep tropical moisture surrounding Lowell will spread northward over the main Hawaiian islands from south to north, bringing increasing showers, the NWS reports. “Rainbands could become persistent and anchored in some areas, which would exacerbate the flash flood threat. The risk of flash flooding and mudslides is greatest for Kauaʻi and Niʻihau, but also exists for other islands as well due to the extent of the moisture associated with Lowell. Over a foot of rain is possible over portions of Kauaʻi, mainly over the interior mountains,” according to the NWS.

Surf is expected to increase quickly on south and west facing shores tonight, reaching warning levels by Monday. Damaging surf and some coastal inundation are expected along the immediate coast on exposed south and west facing shores on Kauaʻi and Niʻihau Monday and Monday night, before diminishing on Tuesday. Highest surf heights in those areas may reach 20 to 30 feet, along with 1 to 3 feet of coastal inundation, the NWS reports.

Conditions will become favorable for fast-moving, short-lived waterspouts and tornadoes in the rainbands associated with Lowell, mainly near Kauaʻi and Niʻihau, later on Monday. This threat will
continue into Monday night, then diminish quickly Tuesday morning, according to the NWS.

The public is advised to closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather warnings.