Hurricane Lowell is raising concerns across Hawaii after rapidly intensifying into a major hurricane and approaching a point where forecasters expect it to make a dramatic turn north toward the island chain.
The Category 4 hurricane was packing maximum sustained winds of 145 mph late Wednesday while sitting roughly 450 miles south of Hilo, according to the National Hurricane Center. Lowell was moving west at approximately 10 mph, with forecasters expecting its forward speed to gradually decrease.
The storm briefly became even more powerful on Wednesday, reaching Category 5 status with sustained winds of 160 mph before weakening back into Category 4 territory. NOAA satellite observations confirmed the rapid intensification.
The biggest concern now centers on what happens after Lowell moves farther west of Hawaii.
AccuWeather forecasts that changing steering winds will cause the hurricane to abruptly turn north beginning this weekend. Exactly when that turn occurs — and how sharply Lowell curves — could determine whether Hawaii receives a glancing blow or considerably more serious effects.
Kauai and Oahu could face some of the greatest concern depending on Lowell’s eventual path, although uncertainty remains several days out.
The National Hurricane Center has stressed that Lowell is expected to remain a major hurricane for several days and has urged people across Hawaii to continue monitoring its progress.
As of the latest advisory, no coastal watches or warnings were in effect for Hawaii.
Regardless of whether Lowell eventually makes landfall, however, dangerous ocean conditions are already expected.
Swells generated by the hurricane are spreading north toward the Hawaiian Islands and are expected to produce potentially life-threatening surf and rip currents.
The American Red Cross has also begun preparations for the possibility of Lowell affecting Hawaii and is urging residents to prepare their households even if the hurricane ultimately remains offshore.
Lowell’s rapid strengthening underscores the potential danger.
The cyclone was producing sustained winds of roughly 90 mph Tuesday morning before exploding in strength. By Wednesday morning, its winds had climbed to 160 mph, putting Lowell at Category 5 intensity.
A NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft later measured Lowell at Category 4 strength, with sustained winds of 155 mph Wednesday evening. By 11 p.m. HST, winds had decreased further to 145 mph, per Trending Politics.
AccuWeather meteorologists expect Lowell to remain powerful as it approaches the critical turn in its track.
“We expect Lowell to track close enough to Hawaii to have some impacts,” AccuWeather lead hurricane expert Alex DaSilva said.
DaSilva said rough surf, dangerous rip currents and sneaker waves are among the most likely effects, particularly along south-facing beaches.
A closer approach could bring far more disruptive conditions.
“Should Lowell track close enough, there could be more significant impacts to the western portion of the islands in the form of heavy rain, strong winds and power outages,” DaSilva said.
Forecasters are particularly watching how Lowell responds to changing atmospheric conditions southwest of Hawaii.
The exact timing of its turn remains critical because even relatively small changes in Lowell’s trajectory could substantially alter which islands experience the strongest conditions.
The storm is arriving during an unusually active stretch in the Pacific.
Lowell is one of three hurricanes currently spinning between Hawaii and the western coast of North America alongside Karina and Marie. Wednesday also marked the first time on record that Category 4 and Category 5 hurricanes were simultaneously present in the eastern tropical Pacific, according to The Washington Post.
Lowell’s threat comes only weeks after Hawaii dealt with another tropical system, leaving residents facing yet another round of preparations.
For now, federal forecasters are stopping short of predicting a Hawaiian landfall. The NHC’s latest advisory instead emphasizes that residents should closely follow the hurricane as its track develops.
With Lowell expected to remain a major hurricane while approaching the region, the storm’s anticipated northward turn over the coming days will determine whether Hawaii experiences primarily dangerous surf or a much more serious encounter.
