HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hurricane Lowell is now pulling away from the main Hawaiian islands after passing just west of Niihau as a Category 2 hurricane.
At 2 a.m. Tuesday, Lowell’s core was 110 miles northwest of Lihue, or 215 miles west-northwest of Honolulu, and was moving to the north at 18 miles per hour.
Lowell’s maximum sustained winds decreased slightly to 105 miles per hour. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 70 miles from the center, while tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 195 miles.
A Hurricane Warning remains in effect for Kauai and Niihau, which means that hurricane conditions of strong winds and heavy rain are expected.
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Oahu.
A Tornado Watch is in effect until 4 a.m. Tuesday for the islands of Niihau and Kauai and surrounding waters for tornadoes and waterspouts associated with Lowell.
A Hurricane Warning also remains posted for the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument from Nihoa to French Frigate Shoals.
Lowell’s track now pulling it north
Lowell is now moving north and away from Kauai County after a few days of traveling in the north-northeast direction. It is forecast to turn to the northwest and then west Wednesday and Thursday as it continues to track away from Hawaii.
Local alerts for Hawaii
A Hurricane Warning remains in effect for Kauai County, including the islands of Niihau and Kauai.
A Tornado Watch is also in effect for the islands of Niihau, Kauai and surrounding waters. The threat of short-lived, fast-moving tornados/waterspouts will be present. Any tornadoes would likely be embedded in rainbands.
The threat for tornadoes is lower near the remaining islands, but not zero. The threat for tornadoes should decrease quickly early Tuesday morning.
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for portions of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, as well as Hawaiian offshore waters 40 to 250 nautical miles from coastlines.
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Oahu.
A Flood Watch is in effect for all Hawaiian Islands through Tuesday afternoon. Heavy rain will be possible along the eastern flank of Lowell.
High Surf Warnings have been issued for the south-facing shores of all islands through 6 p.m. Tuesday.
Kauai and Niihau: Surf of 20 to 30 feet.Oahu: Surf of 15 to 25 feet.Maui County and Hawaii Island: Surf of 12 to 16 feet.
A High Surf Warning is also posted for the west shores of Hawaii Island. for waves up to 12 to 16 feet.
A High Surf Advisory has also been issued for the east-facing shores of Oahu, Molokai, Maui and Hawaii Island for waves of 7 to 10 feet through Monday.
Ongoing impacts
WIND: Hurricane conditions are expected for Kauai overnight, with winds gradually decreasing after midnight. Barking Sands reported sustained winds of 51 miles per hour with gusts to 84 miles per hour. Lihue Airport had sustained winds of 53 miles per hour with gusts to 75 miles per hour. On Oahu, Daniel K. Inouye International Airport reported a gust of 43 miles per hour.
Tropical storm conditions are ongoing in the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument between Nihoa and French Frigate Shoals, and hurricane conditions are expected there ovenright.
RAIN: 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 Hawaii Island.
TORNADOES: Several tornadoes are possible near Kauai and Niihau this evening through the overnight period. A few tornadoes are also possible across the remainder of the Hawaiian Islands.
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 inundation on Kauai’s south shores and all shores 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.
SURF: Swells from Lowell are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions during the next several days across many of the Hawaiian islands.
This continues to be an active hurricane season. Have a hurricane plan and supply kit in place for this weekend. Now is the time to make a plan for a worst-case scenario so you can take action if and when needed.
Your First Alert Weather Team will continue to monitor Lowell closely over the next few days.
Data provided by the National Hurricane Center.
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