Tropical Storm Warnings issued as Category 3 Hurricane Lowell tracks toward Hawaii
Hurricane Lowell is churning as a Category 3 hurricane about 600 miles south of Kauaʻi, packing maximum sustained winds of 125 mph.
Hurricane Lowell churns as it threatens the Hawaiian Islands
🌀 HURRICANE THREAT: FOX Weather Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross provides an update on the development of Hurricane Lowell as it begins to nudge closer to the Hawaiian Islands, as forecasters monitor this threat. Tropical Storm Warnings have been issued for Kauai and Ni‘ihau.
THE TAKEAWAY
- Hawaii remains on alert as Lowell remains at Category 3 strength.
- Lowell has turned north and is getting closer to Hawaii.
- Tropical Storm Warnings have been issued for Kauai and Ni‘ihau.
- High Surf Advisories have been issued across the Hawaiian Islands with waves expected to peak at 14 feet.
HONOLULU — Powerful Hurricane Lowell has begun its anticipated northward turn toward Hawaii in the Pacific, raising the threat of intense winds and rain as the monster hurricane is forecast to pass the western islands early this week.
As Hurricane Lowell churns across the open Pacific, residents and visitors are closely monitoring the powerful storm as shifting atmospheric conditions begin to steer it sharply northward on a dangerous track toward the western Hawaiian Islands, threatening damaging winds, heavy rain, coastal flooding and dangerous surf.
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With potential storm impacts just a day away, Gov. Josh Green declared a state of emergency, and said, "We encourage everyone to remain prepared and continue following official weather updates."
Hurricane Lowell Statistics.(FOX Weather)
Tropical Storm Warnings have been issued for Kauai and Ni‘ihau. A Hurricane Warning has also been issued for Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument from Nihoa to French Frigate Shoals.
Lowell remains a Category 3 storm, with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph and a minimum central pressure of 948 MB.
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The hurricane has taken its dramatic turn toward Hawaii, and is now heading northwest at 6 mph and located about 545 miles south-southwest of Lihue, Kauaʻi.
According to the FOX Forecast Center, although most forecast models keep the storm west of Hawaii, significant impacts are still likely, including huge waves and strong wind gusts and heavy rain on Kauaʻi.
High Surf Advisories have been issued across the Hawaiian Islands, with waves expected to reach 14 feet.
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A direct impact on Kauaʻi still cannot be ruled out, although unlikely, FOX Weather Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross said Friday morning.
Hurricane Lowell reached Category 5 strength on Wednesday.
(FOX Weather)
If Lowell does indeed stay farther west of the islands, it will act more like a Kona Low, delivering strong wind gusts and heavy rain along the southern shores of Kauaʻi and Oahu beginning Monday evening into Tuesday morning.
The Big Island could see rain beginning Sunday night and heavy rain is expected to arrive across all the islands Monday morning as Lowell's outer bands lash the state.
Hurricane Lowell Forecast Cone.(FOX Weather)
"Lowell is expected to produce rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches, with maximum totals exceeding 10 inches possible, for Kauai and the Big Island," the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Friday.
"For Maui, 2 to 4 inches of rain is expected, with isolated maximum totals of 8 inches possible."
(FOX Weather)
According to the NHC, Lowell is forecast to remain a major hurricane through Monday morning before weakening, though it is expected to maintain hurricane strength into Tuesday as it moves near the western Hawaiian islands.
Hurricane Lowell is expected to begin to pick up speed Monday, which could limit some of the storm's worst impacts, with the storm clearing the islands sometime Tuesday.
After forming in the Eastern Pacific and earning its name on Aug. 27, Lowell steadily strengthened as it churned across the open ocean before exploding in intensity Wednesday.
(FOX Weather)
In just 24 hours, its maximum sustained winds surged by 70 mph — from 90 mph to a peak of 160 mph — making Lowell the first Category 5 hurricane in the Central Pacific since Walaka in October 2018.
What will cause Hurricane Lowell's dramatic shift towards the islands?
Hurricane Lowell is curving back toward the Aloha State due to an unfavorable atmospheric pattern.
FOX Weather Exclusive Tropical Threat(FOX Weather)
A dip in the upper atmosphere over the Pacific is expected to weaken the ridge steering Lowell westward, allowing the hurricane to curve sharply northward and pass near or west of the westernmost main Hawaiian Islands early next week.
FOX Weather Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross said, "We are seeing a dip in the jet stream is really diving near Hawaii, and that's exactly what's going to grab Lowell and pull it north."
(FOX Weather)
Hawaii preparations
Hawaii, which is generally insulated from tropical threats, is no stranger to powerful tropical systems this hurricane season.
Hurricane Lala brought more than 3 feet of rain to parts of Hawaii Island when it passed just south of the Big Island on Aug. 15. Tropical Storm Moke followed shortly afterward and now Lowell could bring the islands their most significant tropical impacts of the season.
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A rural road floods in Volcano Village on Hawaii Island, on August 15, 2026. Hurricane Lala on Saturday lashed Hawaii's Big Island with heavy rain and strong winds, as forecasters warned of potentially dangerous flooding across the US Pacific island state. Lala strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane at around 9:00 am local time (1900 GMT), generating winds of up to 75 miles per hour (120 kilometers per hour). (Photo by Jill K. Briggs / AFP via Getty Images)
The Pacific is raging with tropical activity, with Lowell among three hurricanes churning simultaneously as a brewing Super El Niño supercharges the Central and Eastern Pacific. El Niño is warming ocean waters and creating atmospheric conditions favorable for powerful storms in the basin.
"Our state is still recovering from Lala, and we are not waiting for another storm to get close before preparing," Gov. Green said.
On Sept. 2, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green issued a statewide emergency proclamation as the powerful tropical systems churned across the Pacific, paying specific attention to Lowell.
The proclamation activates the state’s major disaster fund, authorizes the Hawaii National Guard to respond if needed, directs state agencies to support emergency operations and requires utilities and other critical infrastructure operators to safeguard their system.
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Additionally, emergency officials in Honolulu, Kauaʻi and Maui counties are coordinating with state and federal partners while urging residents to replenish supplies, review emergency plans, secure loose outdoor objects and monitor official alerts.
A man watches debris flow along Ka'alaiki Road after Hurricane Lala in Naalehu, Hawaii, Monday, Aug. 17, 2026. The Category 1 hurricane brought heavy rain and strong winds to the island of Hawaii before moving away without making landfall, causing extensive damage to towns along the island's southern end.
(Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images / Getty Images)
"This is an extremely powerful hurricane, and we are watching it very closely," Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said. "I’m asking everyone on Oʻahu to stay vigilant, follow the forecast and make sure you and your family are prepared. Don’t wait until the weekend. Take advantage of these extra days and get ready now."
Stay with FOX Weather for the latest updates on Hurricane Lowell’s track, intensity and future impacts.