Hurricane Warning issued for Kauaʻi County; Rain from Lowell spreading over Kauaʻi and Oʻahu

(2 a.m. HST Monday, Sept. 7, 2026)

A Hurricane Warning has been issued for the islands of Kauaʻi and Niʻihau as impacts from Lowell begin impacting the western islands. The National Weather Service says rainbands from Lowell are spreading over Kauaʻi and Oʻahu.

At 2 a.m., the center of Hurricane Lowell was located about 415 miles SW of Līhuʻe, Kauaʻi and about 445 miles SW of Honolulu, Oʻahu. Lowell is moving toward the north-northeast near 10 mph.

A north- northeastward to northward motion at a faster forward speed is forecast through Tuesday. On the forecast track, the center of Lowell will move across portions of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, just west of the main Hawaiian Islands, tonight. Lowell is then forecast to turn toward the northwest and slow down by early Wednesday after passing the Hawaiian Islands, according to the NWS forecast.

Maximum sustained winds remain near 115 mph with higher gusts. Lowell is a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Gradual weakening is expected through Tuesday; however, Lowell is forecast to remain a hurricane as it passes near the Hawaiian Islands.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 175 miles. The estimated minimum central pressure is 950 mb (28.06 inches).

The NWS forecast calls for hurricane conditions in Kauai County beginning this afternoon or 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.

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: Hurricane Lowell is expected to produce additional rainfall totals of 6 to 10 inches for Kauaʻi, with maximum totals of 14 inches possible. For the Big Island, 4 to 8 inches of rain is expected with isolated totals of 12 inches possible. For Oʻahu, 4 to 6 inches of rain is expected with isolated totals of 8 inches possible. For Maui, 2 to 4 inches of rain is expected, with isolated maximum totals of 8 inches possible. Across the remaining islands, rainfall of 2 to 4 inches is possible. This rainfall may produce significant flash flooding and mudslides, especially across Kauaʻi County and portions of the Big Island.

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 (1-3 ft) 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.

TORNADOES: Several tornadoes are possible near Kauaʻi and Niʻihau this afternoon through tonight. A few tornadoes are also possible across the remainder of the Hawaiian Islands.

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.

Interests elsewhere in the Hawaiian Islands and the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument should continue to monitor future forecasts on the progress of Lowell.