Hurricane Lowell restrengthens, still forecast to turn northward this weekend

News admin September 4, 2026 0 Comments

Hurricane Lowell restrengthens, still forecast to turn northward this weekend

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hurricane Lowell has strengthened once again into a category 4 system and could still intensify to category 5, with a forecast track that still shows a right turn to the north over the weekend toward the western end of the state.

At 11 a.m. Friday, Lowell’s maximum sustained winds were 150 miles per hour, according to the National Hurricane Center.

It was about 615 miles south of Lihue, or 590 miles south-southwest of Honolulu, and was moving to the west-southwest at 7 miles per hour.

Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 60 miles from the center, while tropical storm force winds extend up to 160 miles.

Some strengthening is still possible, and Lowell could become a category 5 hurricane (stronger than 156 miles per hour) late Friday.

Lowell is gradually decreasing its forward speed over the next day or two, followed by a turn to northwest and north over the weekend. Its center is expected to track just west of Kauai and Niihau Monday into Tuesday.

It is still forecast to be at or near major hurricane strength when making its closest approach to the islands.

Confidence is increasing in the forecast track, which keeps the center of Lowell to the west of Niihau and Kauai as it makes its closest pass Monday into Monday night. However, there’s still some uncertainty remaining over the timing of the northward turn. You should still be prepared for changes in the forecast heading into the Labor Day weekend.

WATCH: Chief meteorologist Jennifer Robbins and weather anchor Dan Cooke answered viewer questions live Thursday night.

Potential impacts into the weekend

WIND: As Lowell passes to the south of the state, it will tighten the pressure gradient, resulting in gusty northeast winds. Winds will be disrupted as a weakening Hurricane Karina moves north of the state and disrupts the trade wind flow. Potentially damaging wind (possible hurricane force winds 74 miles per hour or higher) will be possible Monday for Kauai and Niihau.

RAIN: Heavy rain from Lowell’s outer bands will impact the Hawaiian islands starting Sunday afternoon into early next week. Lowell is expected to produce rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches, with possible maximum totals of more than 10 inches for Kauai and Hawaii Island. For Maui, 2 to 4 inches of rain is expected, with isolated maximum totals of 8 inches possible.

For the rest of the island chain, 1 to 2 inches of rainfall is possible with maximum amounts of 4 inches. This rainfall may produce flash flooding and mudslides, especially in steep terrain.

SURF/SWELL: Surf will build, with advisory to warning level waves for all south shores over the next several days. East swells from Karina are expected Saturday into early next and produce high-end advisory to warning level waves for east shores. Lowell’s swells and peak high tides will potentially produce extreme surf conditions for Kauai County and possibly Oahu’s south and west shores early next week.

Local alerts issued for Hawaii

A High Surf Advisory is in effect until 6 a.m. Saturday for south and east-facing shores of all Hawaiian islands. Expect surf of 7 to 10 feet for east facing shores. South shores can expect waves of 8 to 12 feet, rising up to 10 to 14 feet by Saturday. High surf warnings may also be issued as time progresses.

Karina gradually weakens as it moves west

Meanwhile, Hurricane Karina is weakening in the central Pacific. At 11 a.m. Friday, it was 910 miles east of Hilo and was moving to the west at 10 miles per hour with maximum sustained winds near 80 miles per hour. It is forecast to turn west-northwest, and then northwest, over the next day or two.

The forecast calls for it to continuing to weaken as it enters a drier environment and increasing vertical wind shear. It is now forecast to be a post-tropical cyclone as it nears the Hawaiian Islands to the northeast and then dissipate five days from now.

This continues to be an active hurricane season. Have a hurricane plan and supply kit in place for this weekend. Now is the time to make a plan for a worst-case scenario so you can take action if and when needed.

Your First Alert Weather Team will continue to monitor both systems closely over the next several days.

Data provided by the National Hurricane Center.