Hurricane Lowell is turning north toward the waters west of Hawaii, and the threat is no longer something residents can afford to watch casually from a distance.
A Tropical Storm Watch is now in effect for Kauai County, including Kauai and Niihau. Forecasters say tropical-storm conditions could begin Monday as Lowell passes west of the main Hawaiian Islands.
The latest overnight update showed Lowell maintaining major-hurricane strength while beginning its turn toward the north.
Hurricane #Lowell Advisory 41A: Lowell is moving north-northwest while Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters find that the storm remains a Category 3 hurricane.
— NHC Pacific (@NHC_Pacific) September 6, 2026
The 2 a.m. HST intermediate advisory from the National Hurricane Center placed Lowell about 595 miles south-southwest of Lihue and 610 miles southwest of Honolulu. Maximum sustained winds were 125 mph, with the storm moving north-northwest at 6 mph.
That makes Lowell a Category 3 hurricane. Hurricane-force winds extended up to 45 miles from the center, while tropical-storm-force winds reached outward as far as 175 miles.
The center is forecast to move just west of the main Hawaiian Islands and across portions of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument Monday night. A Hurricane Watch is in effect there from Nihoa to French Frigate Shoals.
The track matters, but it is not the only danger. Lowell is carrying enough moisture to create a serious flooding threat even if the hurricane’s center stays offshore.
Key messages for Hurricane #Lowell: Tropical-storm conditions are possible in Kauai County beginning Monday, with heavy rain capable of producing flash flooding and mudslides.
— NHC Pacific (@NHC_Pacific) September 6, 2026
The National Hurricane Center’s public advisory calls for 4 to 8 inches of rain on Kauai, with isolated totals above 12 inches possible. The Big Island could receive 2 to 6 inches, with isolated amounts near 10 inches, while Maui could see 2 to 4 inches and isolated totals up to 8.
Forecasters warned that the rain could trigger significant flash flooding and mudslides, especially on Kauai and parts of the Big Island. Large swells are also expected to create life-threatening surf and rip currents across many of the islands.
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Coastal flooding is another concern. The advisory says water could rise 1 to 3 feet above ground in parts of Kauai County if the peak surge arrives with high tide, with destructive waves adding to the hazard.
Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters have been flying directly into Lowell to give forecasters measurements that satellites cannot provide. Those crews found a minimum central pressure of 943 millibars during the latest mission.
The previous full advisory captured the storm’s position, intensity and slow northward movement as the overnight forecast took shape.
Hurricane #Lowell Advisory 41: Lowell remains a powerful Category 3 hurricane while moving northward over the central Pacific.
— NHC Pacific (@NHC_Pacific) September 6, 2026
The National Hurricane Center’s forecast discussion says Lowell has a warm, well-defined eye and a generally symmetric eyewall. The latest track guidance shifted slightly east, though forecasters still expect the center to pass west of the main islands before turning farther into the central Pacific.
The storm’s exact intensity may fluctuate, but the larger picture is clear. Lowell is expected to remain a powerful hurricane as it passes west of Kauai County, even as stronger wind shear and drier air begin weakening it.
Residents and visitors should follow local emergency guidance, finish preparations before conditions deteriorate, and avoid judging the danger by the location of the eye alone. With heavy rain, dangerous surf, strong winds and possible coastal flooding all in play, Lowell can deliver serious impacts well away from its center.
