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Hurricane Hawaii
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Hurricane Lowell, a Category 3 storm with 120 mph winds, is forecast to pass near Hawaii. Residents face heavy rain, flooding, and mudslides as the state braces for impacts.
Background
Hurricane Lowell is a major hurricane in the Pacific that is expected to make a sharp turn north toward Hawaii. The storm is part of an active hurricane season, with three hurricanes churning simultaneously due to a Super El Niño. Hawaii has already been hit by Hurricane Lala and Tropical Storm Moke this season, and Lowell could bring the most significant impacts yet.
How it unfolded
- Sep 3, 2026Hurricane Lowell is a Category 5 storm with winds of 155 mph, located 440 miles south of Hilo, moving west. Forecasters predict a sharp turn north toward Hawaii.
- Sep 4, 2026Lowell weakens to Category 4, and forecasters note a decreasing but nonzero chance of an easterly jog that could bring impacts to Kauai.
- Sep 6, 2026Lowell is a Category 3 storm with 120 mph winds, located about 545 miles south-southwest of Lihue. Tropical storm warnings are issued for two islands, and a state of emergency is declared.
- Sep 6, 2026Forecasters expect Lowell to pass within 130 miles west of Niihau and 170 miles west of Kauai, bringing heavy rain and dangerous surf but avoiding a direct hit.
Who’s saying what
- Officials
- Hawaii officials urge residents to prepare for heavy rains, flooding, and mudslides, and have declared a state of emergency.
- Meteorologists
- National Weather Service meteorologist John Bravender warns, 'Just because we're on the edge of the cone doesn't mean we're safe.'