First Alert Forecast: Hurricane Lowell is strengthening

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – At 11am Hurricane Lowell was centered 615 miles south of Lihue, Kauai with winds of 150 mph and moving WSW at 7mph. It is forecast to regain category 5 intensity with sustained winds of 165 mph sometime tonight. The forecast track turns the storm northerly sometime tomorrow and has the storm passing to the west of Kauai between Monday morning and Tuesday morning as a category 2 or 3 storm. That means winds at the center will be between 110 and 130 mph.

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Impacts will be felt statewide. Here are key messages about Lowell from the National Hurricane Center:

1. Lowell is forecast to be near major hurricane strength when it moves close to the western Hawaiian Islands late Monday and Monday night. There is a risk of storm surge and wind impacts for portions of Hawaii, particularly Kauai County, early next week and watches will likely be issued on Saturday. Residents should ensure they have their hurricane plan in place and follow advice from local officials.

2. Heavy rainfall will begin to impact the Hawaiian Islands Sunday afternoon and continue through early next week. This rainfall could produce flash flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep errain.

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3. Swells from Lowell are likely to cause life-threatening surfand rip current conditions in portions of the Hawaiian Islandsduring the next several days. These swells are likely to increaseearly next week.

View the latest weather conditions here.

Download the HNN Weather app from the Apple App Store or Google Play for the latest updates from your First Alert Weather Team: chief meteorologist Jennifer Robbins and weather anchors Guy Hagi, Dan Cooke, Ben Gutierrez, and Billy V.

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