Residents across Hawaii are bracing for dangerous surf and significant rainfall as Hurricane Lowell tracks toward the Pacific islands, according to reports from eastidahonews.com. While the storm is expected to pass west of the main landmass, officials have activated emergency protocols to manage the threat of flooding and high waves.
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green declared a state of emergency for the entire state on Thursday. The declaration allows for the immediate deployment of state resources and activates Hawaii National Guard units to assist with potential response efforts. Six high-water vehicles are being sent specifically to Kauai to help navigate flooded areas if necessary.
Storm Path and Strength
Lowell is currently a Category 3 hurricane with sustained winds of 125 mph. Early Sunday morning, the system was moving northwest at a slow pace of 6 mph. Meteorologists note that Lowell has fluctuated between intensity categories, a normal pattern for major hurricanes undergoing structural changes.
The forecast indicates that Lowell will weaken slightly before its closest approach to the islands. It is expected to be near Category 2 strength when it passes approximately 120 miles west of Niihau or 160 miles west of Kauai. This closest approach is predicted to occur from later Monday night through Tuesday morning.
A weak upper-level high-pressure area initially kept the storm traveling west and south of the islands. However, that high-pressure system is weakening this weekend as a cold air trough interacts with low pressure. This shift is causing Lowell to make a right turn north, scraping by Hawaii’s western islands rather than making a direct hit.
Weather Impacts
Tropical storm warnings are in effect for Kauai and Niihau. Winds exceeding 39 mph are expected within 36 hours, though these stronger gusts will be confined primarily to the western islands. The worst of the wind is projected to remain offshore.
The primary threats to residents are heavy rain and hazardous surf. Swells are producing dangerous conditions, with a high surf advisory in effect for south-facing shores. Waves could reach heights of up to 14 feet through Sunday afternoon.
Rainfall totals vary by island. Kauai, Niihau, and the Big Island are forecast to receive between 6 and 8 inches of rain, with isolated totals potentially exceeding 12 inches. Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, and Maui are expected to see 2 to 4 inches, though mountainous areas could receive up to 8 inches.
The National Hurricane Center warned that the heavy precipitation poses a risk for “significant flash flooding and mudslides.” These hazards are particularly concerning in steep terrain where saturated soil can lead to rapid landslides.
Season Context
Lowell is the third storm to target Hawaii in just over three weeks. The active Pacific hurricane season is being supercharged by El Niño conditions, which warm ocean temperatures and weaken upper-level winds, creating a favorable environment for cyclone development.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) had forecasted an above-average central Pacific season, expecting between five and 13 named storms. The current activity aligns with those predictions.
Meteorologists have noted that the current setup resembles the conditions leading up to Hurricane Iniki in 1992. Iniki struck Kauai as a Category 4 hurricane, causing widespread damage. While Lowell is not expected to make landfall with similar intensity, the comparison highlights the potential for severe weather impacts even when a storm passes offshore.
As the storm continues its northward turn, residents are urged to monitor local alerts and prepare for possible power outages and travel disruptions due to flooding and high winds. The state’s emergency declaration ensures that resources are ready to respond if conditions deteriorate further.