Issued at 1100 PM HST Mon Sep 07 2026 000 WTPA34 PHFO 080851 TCPCP4 BULLETIN Hurricane Lowell Advisory Number 49 NWS Central Pacific Hurricane Center Honolulu HI EP122026 Issued by NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 1100 PM HST Mon Sep 07 2026 ...HURRICANE LOWELL PASSING JUST WEST OF NIIHAU... ...DAMAGING WINDS, HEAVY RAINFALL, AND POWERFUL WAVES IMPACTING KAUAI COUNTY... SUMMARY OF 1100 PM HST...0900 UTC...INFORMATION ----------------------------------------------- LOCATION...21.9N 160.8W ABOUT 90 MI...145 KM W OF LIHUE HAWAII ABOUT 190 MI...305 KM WNW OF HONOLULU HAWAII MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...110 MPH...175 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...NNE OR 20 DEGREES AT 18 MPH...30 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...963 MB...28.44 INCHES WATCHES AND WARNINGS -------------------- CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY: None. SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT: A Hurricane Warning is in effect for... * Kauai County, including the islands of Kauai and Niihau * The Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument from Nihoa to French Frigate Shoals A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for... * Oahu A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area. For storm information specific to your area, including possible inland watches and warnings, please monitor products issued by your local National Weather Service forecast office. DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK ---------------------- At 1100 PM HST (0900 UTC), the center of Hurricane Lowell was located near latitude 21.9 North, longitude 160.8 West. Lowell is moving toward the north-northeast near 18 mph (30 km/h). A motion toward the north-northeast and north at a similar forward speed is forecast through Tuesday. The core of Lowell is expected to pass near or just west of Niihau overnight into early Tuesday. Then, Lowell is forecast to turn toward the northwest and west and slow down on Wednesday and Thursday after passing the Hawaiian Islands. Maximum sustained winds are near 110 mph (175 km/h) with higher gusts. Lowell will remain a powerful hurricane while passing near the Hawaiian Islands overnight into early Tuesday, and then weakening is expected over the next several days. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 70 miles (110 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 195 miles (315 km). Barking Sands (PHBK) on western Kauai recently reported sustained winds of 51 mph (82 km/h) with a gust to 84 mph (135 km/h). Lihue Airport (PHLI) along the southeastern coast of Kauai recently reported sustained winds of 53 mph (85 km/h) with a gust to 79 mph (127 km/h). Daniel K Inouye International Airport (PHNL) in Honolulu recently reported a gust of 45 mph (72 km/h). The estimated minimum central pressure based on aircra
ft data is 963 mb (28.44 inches). HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ---------------------- Key messages for Lowell can be found in the Tropical Cyclone Discussion under AWIPS header HFOTCDCP4 and WMO header WTPA44 PHFO. WIND: Hurricane conditions are spreading across portions of Kauai County. Wind speeds atop and on the windward and leeward sides of hills and mountains are often up to 30 percent stronger than the near-surface winds. Tropical storm conditions, especially in gusts, are occurring on Oahu. Tropical storm conditions are ongoing in the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument between Nihoa and French Frigate Shoals, and hurricane conditions are expected there early Tuesday. RAINFALL: Lowell is expected to produce additional rainfall totals of 4 to 8 inches for Kauai, with maximum storm totals of 24 inches possible. For the Big Island, an additional 3 to 8 inches of rain is expected with isolated storm totals of 12 inches possible. For Oahu and Maui county, an additional 2 to 5 inches of rain is expected with isolated storm totals of 10 inches possible. This rainfall may produce significant flash flooding and mudslides, especially across Kauai county and portions of the Big Island. For a complete depiction of forecast rainfall associated with Lowell, please see the National Weather Service Storm Total Rainfall Graphic available at https://hurricanes.gov/storm_graphics/EP12/EP1226WPCQPF.gif STORM SURGE: The combination of storm surge and tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide... Kauai County...2-4 ft, with the highest expected values along the south coast of Kauai and the island of Niihau Oahu...Up to 1 ft The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast near and to the right of the center, where the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves. Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over short distances. For a complete depiction of areas at risk of storm surge inundation, please see the National Weather Service Peak Storm Surge Graphic, available at hurricanes.gov/graphics_cp4.shtml?peakSurge. TORNADOES: Several tornadoes are possible near Kauai and Niihau through the overnight period. A few tornadoes are also possible across the remainder of the Hawaiian Islands. SURF: Swells from Lowell will continue to generate life-threatening surf and rip current conditions during the next few days across many of the Hawaiian Islands. Please consult products from your local weather office. NEXT ADVISORY ------------- Next intermediate advisory at 200 AM HST. Next complete advisory at 500 AM HST. $$ Forecaster Reinhart