‼️ INCOMING IMPACT: FOX Weather Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross shares an update on Hurricane Lowell as it tracks towards Hawaii, possibly making a rare, direct hit to the state.
THE TAKEAWAY
- Powerful Hurricane Lowell could make a rare, direct hit on Hawaii.
- Lowell is bearing down on Hawaii as the storm’s center could approach within 100 miles of the western islands.
- A Hurricane Warning has been issued for Kaua’i County.
- The NHC warned that tornadoes could form within Lowell’s outer bands over Niʻihau and Kauaʻi.
HONOLULU — Powerful Hurricane Lowell is expected to make a possible rare, direct hit on Hawaii as heavy rain associated with the Category 2 hurricane has already triggered flash flooding on Oahu, and damaging surf is pounding Hawaii’s southern shores.
Lowell’s track shifted farther east early Monday morning Hawaii time, closer to the western islands Ni’ihau and Kaua’i, prompting the National Hurricane Center (NHC) to issue a Tropical Storm Warning for Oahu, the most populated island in the state.
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Hurricane Lowell Statistics.
(FOX Weather)
A Hurricane Warning was issued for Kauaʻi County late Sunday as well as parts of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, a chain of smaller islands and atolls northwest of Hawaii’s populated islands.
A Flash Flood Warning is currently in effect for the northern side of Kaua’i.
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Lowell remains a powerful Category 2 storm, with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph. It’s 325 miles southwest of Lihue and is moving north-northeast at 17 mph, according to the NHC.
In their 5 p.m. advisory, Hurricane Lowell weakened slightly, going from a Category 3 storm to a Category 2 storm, according to the NHC.
Hurricane Lowell Alerts
(FOX Weather)
Lowell is expected to produce more heavy rain, flash flooding, gusty winds and damaging surf across the entire island chain, forecast to make its closest approach late Monday into early Tuesday.
The storm’s center could come within 100 miles of Ni’ihau. Because of this, Lowell could make a rare, direct hit on Hawaii, the FOX Forecast Center said.
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Hawaii Gov. Josh Green declared a state of emergency last Thursday in preparation for the storm.
Tracking Hurricane Lowell
(FOX Weather)
FOX Weather Correspondent Katie Byrne, reported steady rain early Monday morning from Kōloa on Kaua’i.
Byrne said people on Kaua’i were told by government officials to have at least three days’ worth of food and supplies. Officials also asked people in low-lying areas to have an evacuation plan in place.
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Some people across the state, including those Byrne interviewed on the Big Island, boarded up their homes as a precaution.
As Hawaii remains on alert for Hurricane Lowell’s dangerous impacts, FOX Weather Correspondent Katie Byrne is on the ground in Koloa, Hawaii, with the latest. Stick with FOX Weather for LIVE coverage as Lowell continues to take aim at the island chain with even more life-threatening impacts to come.
Rain associated with Lowell had already triggered flash flooding along the Kamehameha Highway north of Waikane in Oahu on Sunday afternoon.
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Waiahole flooding on Oahu on Sep. 6, 2026.
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Keanae mudslide on Maui on Sep. 6, 2026.
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Locals boarding up their home ahead of Hurricane Lowell in Waimea, Hawaii.
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Locals board up their home ahead of Hurricane Lowell in Hawaii.
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Large waves break off Diamond Head Beach Park in Honolulu, Hawaii, on September 6, 2026.
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Papakōlea Green Sand Beach on Big Island, Hawaii.
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HONOLULU, HI – AUGUST 23: Onlookers get hit by large waves at the end of the Waikiki pier as Hurricane Lane approaches Waikiki Beach on August 23, 2018 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Hurricane Lane, which lashed the Big Island with nearly 20 inches of rain, has been downgraded to a Category 3 storm. (Photo by Kat Wade/Getty Images)
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Hurricane Lowell’s timing and expected impacts
Lowell was initially expected to pass farther west of Hawaii, but the storm’s track has continued to shift eastward since Saturday.
While a direct landfall is not expected, hurricane conditions are appearing more likely on Ni’ihau and Kaua’i due to the storm’s proximity, the FOX Forecast Center said.
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Hurricane Lowell’s eastward shift
(FOX Weather)
Heavy rain and strong wind gusts are expected to intensify across the state through Labor Day as Lowell’s outer bands lash Hawaii during its approach.
Lowell could bring flash flooding, mudslide and tornado threat
While Lowell is expected to weaken slightly through the day, it’s forecast to maintain hurricane-strength as it passes the state.
“On Kauaʻi, wind gusts are expected to peak between 50 and 70 mph at beach locations, with higher elevation gusts potentially [exceeding] 75 mph,” the FOX Forecast Center said. “Oʻahu will see southerly winds with gusts of 25 to 35 mph.”
Wind Forecast
(FOX Weather)
The NHC warned that tornadoes could form within Lowell’s outer bands over Niʻihau and Kauaʻi from Monday afternoon into the evening.
As the storm tracks closer to the state, life-threatening surf and waves between 20 and 30 feet will be possible along Hawaii’s south and west-facing shores.
“Expect ocean water surging and sweeping over beaches, coastal benches and roadways, creating the potential for significant damage to coastal properties and infrastructure, including roadways,” NHC said.
This graphic shows the high surf alerts amidst Hurricane Lowell.
(FOX Weather)
Lowell is expected to dump between 6 and 10 more inches of rain on Kaua’i, with localized pockets of up to 16 inches possible.
Between 4 and 6 inches of rain is expected across the Big Island, with pockets of up to 12 inches, while 4 to 8 inches of rain is expected across Maui and Oahu.
This graphic shows the expected rain in Hawaii.
(FOX Weather)
“On the Big Island of Hawaii, very heavy rain is forecast as well on the same slopes that were so damaged by Hurricane Lala,” FOX Weather Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross said.
“Throughout the Hawaiian Islands, there will be pockets of heavy rain, especially on the windward slopes,” he continued.
The storm is expected to make its closest pass around midnight before accelerating quickly Tuesday morning, with winds and surf subsiding by Tuesday night.
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HAWAII, UNITED STATES – 2 SEPTEMBER 2026: Satellite view shows Hurricane Lowell churning in the Central Pacific south of Hawaii’s Big Island, with a distinct eye and major hurricane strength. The storm’s northward trajectory placed the northern island of Kauai at risk of destructive winds, flooding rains, and hazardous surf. Imaged 2 September 2026.
((Photo by Gallo Images/Orbital Horizon/Copernicus Sentinel Data 2026) / Getty Images)
Hurricane Lowell peaked as a Category 5 storm last Wednesday with winds up to 160 mph, before weakening to a Category 3, then a Category 4, storm by Thursday and Friday, respectively.
Lowell was the first Category 5 storm in the Central Pacific Basin since Walaka in October 2018.