Hurricane Lowell is forecast to pass just west of the main Hawaiian islands, but officials warn that the storm will still bring life-threatening conditions, including dangerous surf, heavy rainfall, and potential mudslides.
Storm Track and Intensity
As of Saturday, Lowell was located about 640 miles south-southwest of Honolulu, moving west-northwest at 7 mph with sustained winds of 145 mph. The storm reached Category 5 strength overnight Friday, with winds of 157 mph or greater, before weakening to a Category 4 hurricane, defined by sustained winds between 130 and 156 mph.
The National Hurricane Center’s forecast cone shows Lowell passing just west of the island chain, from south to north, by Monday night. Despite the projected path, officials emphasize that the islands are not out of danger.
“Just because we’re on the edge of the cone doesn’t mean we’re safe,” said John Bravender, warning coordination meteorologist at the National Weather Service, during a Friday news conference.
Impacts on Kauai and Other Islands
Kauai is expected to receive up to 10 inches of rain, while Maui could see up to 8 inches, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm is also likely to trigger storm watches and other alerts for Kauai County and the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.
Governor Josh Green urged residents, especially those in Kauaʻi County, to take the storm seriously and prepare before conditions worsen. “We are taking Hurricane Lowell extremely seriously and preparing now, before conditions deteriorate,” he said in a statement Friday. “I urge everyone, especially those in Kauaʻi County, to complete their preparations, follow official alerts and stay away from floodwaters, dangerous surf and other hazardous areas.”
The governor’s office said the state is securing harbors, deploying emergency personnel to strategic locations, and monitoring dams for potential breaches or overflows.
Other Storms in the Pacific
Lowell is not alone in the Pacific. Hurricane Karina, a former Category 4 storm, is spinning about 755 miles east-northeast of Hilo, Hawaii, and Tropical Storm Marie is churning about 705 miles west of the southern tip of Baja California. Marie could generate high surf for Southern California during the holiday weekend, according to National Hurricane Center meteorologists.
Active Hurricane Season and El Niño
The Northeast Pacific has already seen 15 named storms this season, according to Colorado State University. Experts attribute the high number to unusually warm ocean waters and the presence of El Niño, which could bring historic rain to California.
Daniel Gilford, a meteorologist and atmospheric scientist at Climate Central, explained that El Niño’s warm sea surface temperatures are fueling potent tropical cyclones. “If we have extra fuel, we can push the accelerator down more and these storms can become more intense as a result,” he told NBC News.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said Thursday that El Niño is “being supersized before our eyes,” calling it a prompt to address climate change.
