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The Central Pacific Hurricane Center said Lowell had regained category 5 strength Friday afternoon with sustained winds of 160 mph. Additional intensification is possible, followed by a gradual weakening trend by early next week.
Lowell is 615 miles south-southwest of Līhuʻe and continues to move west-southwest at nearly 7 mph. It’s expected to continue this path at a decreased speed followed by a sharp northward turn on Sunday. It's still forecast to be at or near major hurricane strength when making its closest approach to the islands Monday.
“Tropical storm winds extend 150 miles from the center," Warning Coordination Meteorologist for the National Weather Service, John Bravender, said at a Friday press conference.
"We expect that wind field to increase as it moves northward, too. So those winds extend beyond that. So even if the center stays within the cone, the winds extend well beyond it, and then the surf will extend well beyond that as well. So just because we're on the edge of the cone doesn't mean we're safe,” Bravender explained.
Forecasters said that regardless of the hurricane's exact track and intensity, there's a risk of storm surge, wind and rainfall that will impact portions of the state early next week.
Lowell is expected to produce rainfall that may cause flash flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain. Kauaʻi and Hawaiʻi Island is forecast to get 3 to 6 inches of rain with isolated areas seeing up to 10 inches.
For Maui, 2 to 4 inches of rain is expected, with isolated areas possibly seeing 8 inches. Across the remaining islands, rainfall of 1 to 2 inches with maximum amounts of 4 inches is possible.
Ocean swells from Lowell is likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions for some of the state during the next several days. These swells are likely to increase early next week.
The Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency continues to urge residents to keep preparing.
“We know that the memory of Hurricane ʻIniki is close to the surface for many of our families right now, so let us stay vigilant and prepare with a steady hand,” Kauaʻi Mayor Derek Kawakami said in a statement. “We need everyone to be patient, stay safe on our roads, and check on your neighbors."
Meanwhile, Karina remains category 1 hurricane with sustained winds decreasing to 80 mph. The Central Pacific Hurricane Center said additional weakening is likely during the next few days and likely to become a post tropical storm by Monday. Karina is 860 miles east of Hilo and moving westward. It’s expected to turn northwest over the next couple of days.
Further east, Hurricane Marie is 550 miles southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Marie is moving toward the west-northwest at roughly 9 mph. Forecasters with the National Hurricane Center said slow weakening trend is expected to begin on Saturday.
