Technology and Science · 05 September, 2026 · 3 min read
Hurricane Lowell Brings Tropical Storm Threat to Kauai as Hawaii Activates Josh Green Emergency
Lowell is a major hurricane approaching Hawaii, turning north near Kauai. State of emergency declared; authorities prepare for potential impacts and emergency response.
Storm intensity classification is reported differently (Category 4 vs Category 5 at.
10 of 12 outlets skipped it: fifth category is described in relation to past El Niño effects and global warming.
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Big Island Video News
“Some re-strengthening is forecast during the next couple of days, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center says.”Read the original ↗
Le soir d'Algérie
“Initially classified as Category 4 before reclassifying to Category 5 on Saturday, Lowell has grown even more powerful with sustained winds of about 260 km/h”
Translated from the original.
Read the original ↗Different category labels highlight fluctuating intensity and potential confusion about peak danger.
Lowell nears Hawaii
Major Hurricane Lowell was 570 miles south-southwest of Oʻahu as of 5 a.m. Friday morning, moving west at 8 mph with maximum sustained winds near 125 mph, placing it as a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
“Major Hurricane Lowell was 570 miles south-southwest of Oʻahu as of 5 a.m. Friday morning”
The Central Pacific Hurricane Center said some re-strengthening is forecast during the next couple of days, while the National Weather Service reported that "Hurricane Lowell will remain near major hurricane strength when it moves closer to the western Hawaiian Islands late Monday and Monday night."
Forecasters warned that there remains a risk for high surf, storm surge, strong winds and heavy rainfall impacts for portions of Hawaii including in particular the islands of Niihau and Kauai, with heavy rain expected to follow Lowell as it nears Hawaiʻi.
The Office of the Governor said Governor Josh Green signed an emergency proclamation and that "Hawaiʻi National Guard members will be activated in advance of potential storm impacts," as the state prepares while it continues recovering from Tropical Cyclone Lala.
At 5 a.m. HST, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center said the major hurricane was maintaining an eye in satellite imagery with an intense ring of deep convection around the center, and the Air Force Hurricane Hunters were scheduled to investigate Lowell later today.
Watches, rain, surf
By 11 p.m., the Honolulu Star-Advertiser said Lowell was about 610 miles southwest of Lihue with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph, and it began turning north Saturday night as a powerful Category 3 storm prompting a Tropical Storm Watch for Kauai and Niihau.
The paper said heavy rain could begin affecting Hawaii Sunday afternoon, with Kauai expected to receive 4 to 8 inches and isolated totals exceeding 12 inches, while significant flash flooding and mudslides are possible, particularly on Kauai and parts of the Big Island.
It also reported that "A Hurricane Watch is in effect for portions of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument from Nihoa to French Frigate Shoals," and that a Hurricane Watch is issued 48 hours before the anticipated tropical storm or hurricane wind conditions arrive.
The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for all islands from Sunday evening through Tuesday afternoon, warning that "Moisture along the eastern flank of Hurricane Lowell will bring periods of heavy rain to the main Hawaiian islands late Sunday through Tuesday."
The Star-Advertiser added that large swells could bring dangerous surf, rip currents and coastal flooding to exposed areas of Kauai, and it noted that just before 5 p.m. Lowell had maximum sustained winds of 130 mph, down from 145 mph six hours earlier but still considered a Category 4 hurricane.
Forecast uncertainty and preparation
The San Francisco Chronicle said Lowell rapidly strengthened back into a Category 5 storm Friday with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph, and it described a forecast that keeps the storm’s center offshore west of Kauai while forecasters monitor a sharp turn toward the north.
“"predicting where and how sharply Lowell turns is challenging,"”
It quoted the National Hurricane Center warning that "predicting where and how sharply Lowell turns is challenging," and said the storm’s track would be determined by two merging weather features north of the Hawaiian islands.
The Chronicle said the islands will feel some effects regardless, with dangerous surf already building along south-facing shores and heavy rain arriving Sunday afternoon, and it cited a forecast as of Friday afternoon of up to 6 inches of rain on Kauai and the Big Island with isolated totals topping 10 inches.
It also reported that storm surge is a particular concern on Kauai and Niihau, with Lowell expected to make its closest pass near the peak high tides of the month that arrive Monday, and it said the National Weather Service in Honolulu warned that coastal flooding is possible and that Monday’s tides could worsen any inundation.
In parallel, the National Hurricane Center said in an advisory issued 11 p.m. Friday HST that Lowell had weakened slightly to Category 4 strength and that "Interests in the Hawaiian Islands should monitor the progress of Lowell," with watches potentially required for portions of the westernmost Hawaiian Islands on Saturday.