@gingerzee: 9-7-26 As of 2 p.m. ET this afternoon, Lowell remains a low-end category 3 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph. It is moving to the north-northeast at 15 mph, and the center is currently located roughly 350 miles southwest of Honolulu. It will continue to gradually weaken and pick up forward speed as it moves north, with a more substantial weakening trend likely unfolding by Tuesday morning. Lowell is still expected to pass west of the main Hawaiian islands tonight through Tuesday morning, as a category 2 or possibly strong category 1 hurricane. The latest forecast track has shifted a bit to the east, meaning a greater likelihood of significant impacts for Kauai County, including the islands of Kauai and Niihau. However, Lowell's strength as it passes by the islands has trended a bit lower compared to 24 hours ago. A Hurricane Warning remains in effect for Kauai County, with hurricane conditions expected in Kauai County beginning this afternoon or evening (local time). This means hurricane conditions are possible, and tropical storm conditions are expected in Kauai County beginning Monday afternoon or evening. A Tropical Storm Warning is now in effect for Oahu, including Honolulu, with tropical storm conditions expected later today and tonight. High Surf Warnings are in effect for all south-facing shores of the Hawaiian Islands, with waves of 20 to 30 feet possible for Kauai and Niihau through tonight. For south-facing shores, waves of 15 to 25 feet are possible for Oahu, 12 to 20 feet for Maui, and 12 to 26 feet for the Big Island. Strom surge could reach up to 4 feet along the south coast of Kauai and along all of Niihau's coastline. Across many of the Hawaiian islands, swells from Lowell are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions over the next several days. A few tornadoes are also possible Monday afternoon through Monday night (local time), especially for the islands of Kauai and Niihau. While Lowell will pass west of the main Hawaiian Islands, it's pushing a copious amount of tropical moisture northward, rounds of heavy rain over the next 24 hours. Flood Watches remain in effect across Hawaii through Tuesday afternoon local time. Outlook-cohgqjn2.png The biggest rainfall totals are forecast to occur across Kauai County, due to its closer proximity to Lowell, and on the Big Island due to its very large mountains. Hurricane Lowell is forecast to bring rainfall totals of 6 to 10 inches for Kauai, with isolated amounts up to 16 inches possible. For the Big Island, 4 to 8 inches of rain is expected, with isolated totals up to 12 inches possible. Rainfall totals of 4 to 6"+ are forecast across portions of Oahu and Maui, with the highest totals across the mountainous areas, and lower totals of 2 to 4 inches of rain expected for the lower elevations and across the remaining islands. This rainfall may produce significant flash flooding and mudslides, especially across Kauai county and portions of the Big Island.

Ginger Zee

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Monday 07 September 2026 20:26:46 GMT