Category 4 Hurricane Lowell Is Forecast to Pass the Western Hawaiian Islands Monday Night
The Central Pacific storm has sustained winds near 150 mph and is expected to turn north over the weekend, tracking close to Niihau and Kauai without a watch yet in effect.
Meridians Travel Desk
Published 6 September 2026 · Updated 6 September 2026 · 4 min read
TravelThe short answer
- As of the National Hurricane Center's advisory Saturday, Lowell was a Category 4 storm with 150 mph winds, centered about 630 miles southwest of Lihue.
- Forecasters expect Lowell to turn northwest, then accelerate north and north-northeast Sunday and Monday, passing near the western Hawaiian Islands Monday night.
- No coastal watches or warnings were in effect at the time of the advisory, though forecasters said watches would likely be issued later Saturday for the western main islands.
- The storm has fluctuated in strength this week, weakening to Category 3 on Friday before forecasts called for renewed strengthening toward the weekend.
A major hurricane is on a path toward Hawaii's western islands, and the timing that matters most for travelers is Monday night.
The National Hurricane Center's advisory placed Lowell about 630 miles southwest of Lihue, Kauai, with maximum sustained winds near 150 mph — a strong Category 4 storm. The center forecasts the storm to move west initially, then turn northwest overnight and accelerate north and north-northeastward on Sunday and Monday, carrying it across the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument just west of the main Hawaiian Islands before its closest approach Monday night.
No watches yet, but that is expected to change
As of the advisory reviewed, no coastal watches or warnings were in effect anywhere in Hawaii. The Hurricane Center said watches would likely be required for portions of the western main islands later the same day. A separate update from the Central Pacific Hurricane Center, reported Friday morning, had Lowell as a Category 3 storm with 125 mph winds about 570 miles south-southwest of Oahu, with forecasters calling for renewed strengthening back toward major hurricane status over the following two to three days — which is roughly what happened.
What forecasters are watching
- Track: a sharp northward turn expected Sunday, with the core passing west of the main islands late Monday into Monday night.
- Rainfall: statewide estimates of 2 to 8 inches, with isolated totals near 10 inches possible.
- Greatest risk: Niihau and Kauai sit closest to the forecast track among the main islands.
- Intensity swings: Lowell dropped to Category 3 on Friday before forecasts called for it to regain major hurricane strength by the weekend, underscoring how fast the numbers can move.
What travelers should do now
Anyone flying to or from Hawaii early this week should check their airline's app or website directly for waiver or rebooking policies before heading to the airport, since carriers typically issue these once a storm track firms up rather than in advance. Hawaii's own emergency management agency and the National Weather Service office in Honolulu are the two sources to watch for the watches the Hurricane Center said were coming.
Sources
Every factual claim above is traceable to these documents. Check them — that is why they are here.
- Hurricane Lowell Public Advisory — Category 4, 150 mph winds, forecast track past the western Hawaiian Islands Monday night, no watches yet in effectNational Hurricane Center / NOAA
- Major Hurricane Lowell Update for Friday at 7 a.m. — Category 3 status, 570 miles from Oahu, forecast strengthening, rainfall estimatesBig Island Video News
About this byline
Meridians Travel Desk is an editorial desk at Meridians, not an individual. A desk byline means the article was produced and fact-checked to that desk's published standards. Read our editorial standards and corrections policy.
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