First Alert Forecast: Lowell will make its closest approach to the western islands on Monday PM; huge waves, tropical storm force winds

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hurricane Lowell is tracking north from 550 miles south-southwest of Kauaʻi and is forecast to pass west of Kauaʻi’s coastal waters late Monday through Monday night.

Read more High surf warnings, advisories issued for dangerous surf from Hurricane Lowell

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Kauaʻi and Niʻihau, while a Flood Watch covers the entire state through Tuesday afternoon. Hurricane Watch is up for the western islands and waters.

South and west-facing shores will experience rapidly rising south-to-southwest swell from Hurricane Lowell, producing Warning-Level Surf (20–30 ft for Kauaʻi and Niʻihau by Monday PM).

Severe surf will also affect Oʻahu and west-facing Big Island shores, including the Kohala coast.

Coinciding with monthly high tides, coastal flooding, road overwash, and harbor disruption are expected. Meanwhile, east-facing shores will maintain Advisory-Level Surf (7–10 ft) through Monday driven by swell from dissipating Tropical Storm Karina.

Deep tropical moisture will trigger heavy rainfall and thunderstorms across the state starting tonight through Tuesday afternoon.

Kauaʻi and Niʻihau are forecast to receive 6 to 10 inches of rain with isolated totals up to 14 inches. Southeast flow into Big Island terrain will drive 4 to 8 inches of rain with isolated peaks up to 12 inches.

Read more Hurricane Lowell turns north, Kauai County under hurricane watch and tropical storm warning

Oʻahu and Maui County will see 2 to 4 inches, with isolated 8-inch totals possible on Maui.

Flash flooding and mudslides are high risks, especially for Kauaʻi County and the Big Island.

Trade winds will shift to the east-southeast and strengthen, bringing tropical-storm-force winds to Kauaʻi and Niʻihau on Monday.

Rainbands near Kauaʻi County carry a threat of short-lived, fast-moving tornadoes and waterspouts late Monday through early Tuesday morning. Coastal waters across the state will face Small Craft Advisory to Tropical Storm conditions, though atmospheric conditions are expected to stabilize and return to typical trade wind weather by Thursday.

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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