Hurricane Lowell expected to bring dangerous surf and heavy rain to Hawaii
The National Hurricane Center warned that Hurricane Lowell could produce up to 10 inches of rain, mudslides and hazardous surf for the Hawaiian islands as it passes west of the archipelago early next week.
Hurricane Lowell is forecast to move west-northwest of the main Hawaiian islands on Monday night, bringing sustained winds of about 145 mph and the potential for heavy rainfall, mudslides and high surf, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm, which peaked as a Category 5 cyclone on Friday, has weakened to Category 4 but may remain a major hurricane with winds above 111 mph.
The center said the system is currently about 640 miles south-southwest of Honolulu and could deliver up to 10 inches of rain on Kauai and up to 8 inches on Maui. It also expects life-threatening wave conditions for parts of the chain.
"Just because we’re on the edge of the cone doesn’t mean we’re safe," warned John Bravender, a warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service at a Friday briefing.
Governor Josh Green urged residents, especially in Kauai County, to complete preparations, follow official alerts and avoid floodwaters and dangerous surf. State officials are securing harbors, positioning emergency personnel and monitoring dams for possible breaches.
Lowell joins two other tropical systems in the northern Pacific—former Category 4 Hurricane Karina and Tropical Storm Marie—contributing to an active Northeast Pacific season that has produced 15 named storms so far, a count boosted by unusually warm ocean temperatures linked to an El Niño event. Climate scientists noted that the warm sea-surface temperatures associated with El Niño can intensify storms.
Daniel Gilford of Climate Central said the extra heat acts like “fuel,” allowing storms to become more intense.
The United Nations secretary-general highlighted the current El Niño as an example of accelerating climate impacts.