8AM HST 7 September, 2026 Update
The Tropical Storm Watch for Oahu has been upgraded to a Warning as Lowell continues tracking substantially right of official forecast and model guidance and the odds that Hurricane Lowell leads to significant impacts across all of Hawaii are going way up. Efforts to protect life and property from flooding state-wide and wind in the west and also on higher elevations should be getting rushed to completion.
Ciel

Original Update

Above: Major Hurricane Lowell while tracking north-northeast towards Hawaii. Credits: Deelan Jariwala and cyclonicwx.com

With the exception of home-grown Edouard sneaking past many models to become a formidable tropical storm in the western Gulf, the Atlantic basin has otherwise been incredibly quiet so far during the heart of hurricane season. This is not the case in the Pacific with yet another hurricane heading towards the great state of Hawaii.

As of Sunday September 7, 2026 500 AM HST, Hurricane Lowell was located near 17.5N 162.6W, now tracking north-northeast around 14 mph. Hurricane Warnings are now up for Kauai County, including the islands of Kauai and Niihau and also the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument from Nihoa to French Frigate Shoals. A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Oahu.

Lowell is a formidable hurricane and still a Major as of this update. The hurricane has been a Category 5 and despite 'weakening' in quotes, much of this energy does not rapidly go away with the decrease in category and interests in the hurricane warned portions of western Hawaii should begin rushing preparations to protect life and property to completion.

Lowell is producing impacts over a large area and the Big Island of Hawaii, even miles and miles away from the center, will likely experience flash flooding yet again. Some flooding has already begun from Lowell across the islands.

An additional 6 to 10 inches for Kauai, is forecast, locally 16 inches possible. For the Big Island, 4 to 8 inches of rain likely, locally up to 12 inches. Oahu and Maui counties can expect up to 8 inches, also locally higher.

We have Lounge two threads for Lowell ongoing in the Forums (Other Basins - General discussion) and a (Lounge - More modeling)