Hurricane Lowell weakens to tropical storm as it moves away from Hawaii
Lowell has been downgraded to a Category 1 hurricane and is expected to become a tropical storm later Tuesday as it tracks northward away from the main Hawaiian islands.
Lowell, now a Category 1 hurricane with sustained winds of 75 mph, is moving northward away from the Hawaiian Islands after passing west of Niihau. At 11 a.m. Tuesday it was located about 230 miles north-northwest of Lihue, traveling at 15 mph. The storm’s hurricane-force winds extend roughly 60 miles from its center, while tropical-storm-force winds reach out about 205 miles.
Coastal warnings have been lifted, but a Flood Watch remains in effect for all islands due to the risk of flash flooding from lingering moisture. High surf warnings continue for south-facing shores, with wave heights expected to drop sharply throughout the day.
Meteorological data showed sustained winds of 51 mph with an 84 mph gust at Barking Sands and 54 mph with a 79 mph gust at Lihue Airport during the storm’s closest approach. Rainfall totals of 2-4 inches are possible for Kauai, with isolated amounts up to 24 inches; the Big Island could see 3-6 inches, and Oahu and Maui County 1-3 inches, raising concerns about flash floods and mudslides, especially on Kauai and parts of Hawaii Island.
The system is forecast to turn northwest and then west on Wednesday and Thursday, moving further from the islands and weakening to a tropical storm by Tuesday evening. Ocean water levels may remain elevated along the coasts of Niihau, Kauai and Oahu, but storm-surge effects are expected to subside after the next high tide. The National Hurricane Center provided the data.