Hurricane Lowell Brings Wind and Rain to Kauai

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Hurricane Lowell brought wind and rain to Kauai on Monday night.  At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Hurricane Lowell was located at latitude 22.9°N and longitude 160.8°W which put the center about 110 miles (175 km) northwest of Lihue, Hawaii.  Lowell was moving toward the north at 18 m.p.h. (30 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 965 mb.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Kauai County including Kauai and Niihau.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument from Nihoa to French Frigate Shoals.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Oahu.

A weather station at the Lihue Airport was reporting a sustained wind speed of 53 m.p.h (85 km/h) and a wind gust of 79 m.p.h (127 km/h).

A weather station at the Honolulu Airport reported a sustained wind speed of 26 m.p.h. (42 km/h) and a wind gust of 45 m.p.h. (73 km/h).

Hurricane Lowell was a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale as it passed over Kauai on Monday night.  The center of Lowell’s circulation passed west of Kauai and Niihau.  An eye was no longer visible at the center of Hurricane Lowell.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Lowell’s circulation.  Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped more mass away from the hurricane.  The removal of mass in the upper levels was less than to the convergence of mass in the lowers levels of the atmosphere.  So, the surface pressure was increasing.

The distribution of wind speeds in Hurricane Lowell was fairly symmetrical.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 65 miles (105 km) from the center of Lowell’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) from the center of Hurricane Lowell.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Hurricane Lowell is 17.8.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 23.9 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 41.7.  Hurricane Lowell is similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Gustav when Gustav hit Louisiana in 2008.

Hurricane Lowell will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Lowell will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26°C.  It will move under the southeastern part of an upper level low that is northwest of Hawaii.  The upper level low will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Lowell’s circulation.  Those winds will cause strong vertical wind shear.  Hurricane Lowell will continue to weaken on Tuesday because of the strong vertical wind shear.

The upper level low that is northwest of Hawaii will pull Hurricane Lowell toward the north during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Lowell will move away from  Kauai and Niihau on Tuesday.

Bands in the eastern side of Lowell will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Kauai and Niihau during the next few hours.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Flood Watches are in effect for Kauai and Niihau.

Bands in the eastern periphery of Hurricane Lowell could also drop heavy rain on Maui, Lanai, Molokai, Oahu, the Big Island of Hawaii, and Kahoolawe.

Flood Watches are in effect for Maui, Lanai, Molokai, Oahu, the Big Island of Hawaii, and Kahoolawe.

Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Marie continued to weaken gradually southwest of San Diego.

At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Marie was located at latitude 25.5°N and longitude 126.6°W which put the center about 760 miles (1220 km) southwest San Diego, California.  Marie was moving toward the west-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 996 mb.

Hurricane Lowell Moves Closer to Kauai

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Hurricane Lowell was moving closer to Kauai on Monday evening.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Hurricane Lowell was located at latitude 20.3°N and longitude 161.3°W which put the center about 170 miles (275 km) southwest of Lihue, Hawaii.  Lowell was moving toward the north-northeast at 18 m.p.h. (30 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 110 m.p.h. (175 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 130 m.p.h. (210 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 956 mb.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Kauai County including Kauai and Niihau.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument from Nihoa to French Frigate Shoals.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Oahu.

A weather station at the Lihue Airport was reporting a sustained wind speed of 32 m.p.h (52 km/h) and a wind gust of 51 m.p.h (82 km/h).

Hurricane Lowell was a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale as it moved closer to Kauai on Monday evening.  A small circular eye was at the center of Lowell’s circulation.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Hurricane Lowell.  Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped more mass away from the hurricane.  The removal of mass in the upper levels was a little less than to the convergence of mass in the lowers levels of the atmosphere.  So, the surface pressure was increasing slowly.

The distribution of wind speeds in Hurricane Lowell was fairly symmetrical.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 65 miles (105 km) from the center of Lowell’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) from the center of Hurricane Lowell.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Hurricane Lowell is 19.2.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 22.3 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 41.5.  Hurricane Lowell is similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Gustav when Gustav hit Louisiana in 2008.

Hurricane Lowell will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Lowell will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C.   It will move under the southwestern part of an upper level low that is north of Hawaii. The upper level low will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Lowell’s circulation.  Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase.  Hurricane Lowell will continue to weaken on Tuesday because of the increase in vertical wind shear.

The upper level low that is north of Hawaii will pull Hurricane Lowell toward the north-northeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Hurricane Lowell will pass just to the west of Kauai in a few hours.

Bands in the eastern side of Lowell will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Kauai and Niihau on Monday night.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Flood Watches are in effect for Kauai and Niihau.

Bands in the eastern periphery of Hurricane Lowell could also drop heavy rain on Maui, Lanai, , Molokai, Oahu, the Big Island of Hawaii, and Kahoolawe.

Flood Watches are in effect for Maui, Lanai, Molokai, Oahu, the Big Island of Hawaii, and Kahoolawe.

Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Marie continued to weaken gradually southwest of San Diego.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Marie was located at latitude 25.1°N and longitude 125.9°W which put the center about 745 miles (1200 km) southwest San Diego, California.  Marie was moving toward the west-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 994 mb.

Hurricane Warning Issued for Kauai

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A Hurricane Warning has been issued for Kauai County.  At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Hurricane Lowell was located at latitude 17.0°N and longitude 163.0°W which put the center about 415 miles (670 km) southwest of Lihue, Hawaii.  Lowell was moving toward the north-northeast at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 135 m.p.h. (215 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 940 mb.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Kauai County including Kauai and Niihau.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument from Nihoa to French Frigate Shoals.

Hurricane Lowell was weakening slowly as it moved toward Kauai on Monday morning.  Lowell was still a major hurricane.  A circular eye with a diameter of 35 miles (55 km) was still at the center of Lowell’s circulation.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Hurricane Lowell.  Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped more mass away from the hurricane.  The removal of mass in the upper levels was a little less than to the convergence of mass in the lowers levels of the atmosphere.  So, the surface pressure was increasing slowly.

The distribution of wind speeds in Hurricane Lowell was fairly symmetrical. Winds to hurricane force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Lowell’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) from the center of Hurricane Lowell.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Hurricane Lowell is 20.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 19.5 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 40.1.  Hurricane Lowell is similar in intensity to Hurricane Rita was when Rita hit Southwest Louisiana in 2005.  Lowell is not as big as Rita was.

Hurricane Lowell will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Lowell will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C.  It will move under the southwestern part of an upper level low that is north of Hawaii.  The upper level low will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Lowell’s circulation.  Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase.  Hurricane Lowell will continue to weaken on Monday because of the increase in vertical wind shear.

The upper level low that is north of Hawaii will steer Hurricane Lowell toward the north-northeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Hurricane Lowell will be just southwest of Kauai on Monday night.

Bands in the eastern side of Lowell could bring strong winds and heavy rain to Kauai and Niihau on Monday night.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Flood Watches are in effect for Kauai and Niihau.

Bands in the eastern periphery of Hurricane Lowell could also drop heavy rain on Maui, Lanai, , Molokai, Oahu, the Big Island of Hawaii, and Kahoolawe.

Flood Watches are in effect for Maui, Lanai, Molokai, Oahu, the Big Island of Hawaii, and Kahoolawe.

Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Marie was weakening gradually southwest of San Diego.

At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Marie was located at latitude 24.4°N and longitude 123.7°W which put the center about 700 miles (1125 km) southwest San Diego, California.  Marie was moving toward the northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 986 mb.

Tropical Storm Warning Issued for Kauai

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A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for Kauai County because of the potential effects of Hurricane Lowell.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Hurricane Lowell was located at latitude 14.7°N and longitude 163.8°W which put the center about 580 miles (935 km) south-southwest of Lihue, Hawaii.  Lowell was moving toward the north-northwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 943 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Kauai County including Kauai and Niihau.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument from Nihoa to French Frigate Shoals.

Hurricane Lowell weakened to Category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Sunday morning.  Lowell was still a major hurricane.  A circular eye with a diameter of 30 miles (50 km) was still at the center of Lowell’s circulation.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Hurricane Lowell.  Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped more mass away from the hurricane.  The removal of mass in the upper levels was nearly equal to the convergence of mass in the lowers levels of the atmosphere.  So, the surface pressure did not change much on Sunday morning.

The distribution of wind speeds in Hurricane Lowell was fairly symmetrical.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 50 miles (80 km) from the center of Lowell’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) from the center of Hurricane Lowell.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Hurricane Lowell is 23.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 19.5 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 43.9.  Hurricane Lowell is bigger and stronger than Hurricane Milton was when Milton hit Florida in 2024.

Hurricane Lowell will move through an environment that will be less favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Lowell will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind wind shear.  However, Lowell will  move into a mass of drier air that is southwest of Hawii.  Hurricane Lowell is likely to continue to weaken slowly because of the effects of the drier air.  Lowell will move southwest of an upper level low that is north of Hawaii on Monday.  The upper level low will produce southwesterly winds that will cause the vertical wind shear to increase.  The increase in vertical wind shear will cause Lowell to weaken faster on Monday.

Hurricane Lowell will move around the western end of a high pressure system that is over the Central North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Lowell toward the north during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Hurricane Lowell will pass west of Kauai and Niihau on Monday night.

Bands in the eastern side of Lowell could bring strong winds and heavy rain to Kauai and Niihau on Monday night.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Flood Watches are in effect for Kauai and Niihau.

Bands in the eastern periphery of Hurricane Lowell could also drop heavy rain on Maui, Lanai, , Molokai, Oahu, the Big Island of Hawaii, and Kahoolawe.

Flood Watches are in effect for Maui, Lanai, Molokai, Oahu, the Big Island of Hawaii, and Kahoolawe.

Elsewhere, thunderstorms were decreasing Tropical Storm Karina and Hurricane Marie was weakening west of Baja California.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Karina was located at latitude 22.7°N and longitude 145.0°W which put the center about 680 miles (1100 km) east-northeast of Hilo, Hawaii.  Karina was moving toward the northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 992 mb.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Hurricane Marie was located at latitude 23.5°N and longitude 122.5°W which put the center about 800 miles (1290 km) west of the southern tip of Baja California.  Marie was moving toward the northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 95 m.p.h. (150 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 977 mb.

 

Tropical Storm Watch Issued for Kauai

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A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Kauai County because of the potential effects of Hurricane Lowell.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Hurricane Lowell was located at latitude 13.7°N and longitude 163.4°W which put the center about 630 miles (1015 km) south-southwest of Lihue, Hawaii.  Lowell was moving toward the west-northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 130 m.p.h. (210 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 155 m.p.h. (250 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 942 mb.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Kauai County including Kauai and Niihau.

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument from Nihoa to French Frigate Shoals.

Hurricane Lowell weakened to Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Saturday.  A circular eye with a diameter of 30 miles (50 km) was still at the center of Lowell’s circulation.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Hurricane Lowell.  Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped more mass away from the hurricane.  The removal of mass in the upper levels was less than the convergence of mass in the lowers levels of the atmosphere.  So, the surface pressure increased on Saturday.

The distribution of wind speeds in Hurricane Lowell was fairly symmetrical.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Lowell’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) from the center of Hurricane Lowell.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Hurricane Lowell is 25.1.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 18.8 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 43.9. Hurricane Lowell is similar in intensity to Hurricane Harvey when Harvey hit Texas in 2017.  Hurricane Lowell is larger than Harvey was.

Hurricane Lowell will move through an environment that will be a little less favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Lowell will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind wind shear.  However, Lowell will start to move into a mass of drier air on Sunday.  Hurricane Lowell is likely to continue to weaken slowly on Sunday because of the effects of the drier air.

Hurricane Lowell will move around the western end of a high pressure system that is over the Central North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Lowell toward the north during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Lowell will start to move closer to Kauai and Niihau on Sunday.

Elsewhere, former Hurricane Karina weakened to a tropical storm east of Hawaii and Hurricane Marie started to weaken west of Baja California.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Karina was located at latitude 22.0°N and longitude 143.9°W which put the center about 740 miles (1190 km) east-northeast of Hilo, Hawaii.  Karina was moving toward the west-northwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 993 mb.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Hurricane Marie was located at latitude 22.6°N and longitude 121.3°W which put the center about 725 miles (1170 km) west of the southern tip of Baja California.  Marie was moving toward the northwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 970 mb.

Hurricane Lowell Intensifies Back to Cat. 5

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Hurricane Lowell intensified back to Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale as it moved south-southwest of Hawaii on Friday evening.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Hurricane Lowell was located at latitude 13.3°N and longitude 161.4°W which put the center about 615 miles (990 km) south-southwest of Lihue, Hawaii.  Lowell was moving toward the west at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 160 m.p.h. (260 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 190 m.p.h. (305 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 922 mb.

Hurricane Lowell strengthened back to Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Friday evening.  A circular eye with a diameter of 30 miles (50 km) was at the center of Lowell’s circulation.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Hurricane Lowell.  Storms near the center generated stronger upper level divergence that pumped more mass away from the hurricane.  The removal of more mass in the upper levels of the atmosphere caused the surface pressure to decrease on Friday.

The distribution of wind speeds in Hurricane Lowell was fairly symmetrical.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Lowell’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) from the center of Hurricane Lowell.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Hurricane Lowell is 35.0. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 18.9 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 53.9.  Hurricane Lowell is similar in intensity to Hurricane Maria when Maria hit Puerto Rico in 2017.

Hurricane Lowell will move through an environment favorable for a strong hurricane during the next 24 hours.  Lowell will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind wind shear.  Hurricane Lowell is likely to maintain its intensity during the next 24 hours.

Hurricane Lowell will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over the Central North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Lowell toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Lowell will remain south-southwest of Hawaii on Saturday.  Lowell is forecast to start moving toward the north during the weekend.

Elsewhere, Hurricane Karina continued to weaken gradually east of Hawaii and Hurricane Marie was spinning southwest of Baja California.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Hurricane Karina was located at latitude 20.7°N and longitude 141.9°W which put the center about 860 miles (1380 km) east of Hilo, Hawaii.  Karina was moving toward the west at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 95 m.p.h. (150 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 982 mb.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Hurricane Marie was located at latitude 20.8°N and longitude 119.0°W which put the center about 600 miles (965 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Marie was moving toward the northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 967 mb.

Hurricane Lowell Strengthens Back to Cat. 4

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Hurricane Lowell strengthened back to Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale as it moved south-southwest of Hawaii on Friday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Hurricane Lowell was located at latitude 13.2°N and longitude 160.79°W which put the center about 615 miles (985 km) south-southwest of Lihue, Hawaii.  Lowell was moving toward the west-southwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 175 m.p.h. (280 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 926 mb.

Hurricane Lowell strengthened back to Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Friday after weakening on Thursday night.  A circular eye with a diameter of 30 miles (50 km) was at the center of Lowell’s circulation.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Hurricane Lowell.  Storms near the center generated stronger upper level divergence that pumped more mass away from the hurricane.  The removal of more mass in the upper levels of the atmosphere caused the surface pressure to decrease on Friday.

An eyewall replacement cycle cause the size of the circulation around Hurricane Lowell to increase.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Lowell’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) from the center of Hurricane Lowell.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Hurricane Lowell is 31.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 18.9 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 50.5. Hurricane Lowell is similar in intensity to Hurricane Ida when Ida hit southeast Louisiana in 2021.  Lowell is larger than Ida was.

Hurricane Lowell will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Lowell will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind wind shear.  Hurricane Lowell is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours.  Lowell could strengthen back to Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.

Hurricane Lowell will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over the Central North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Lowell toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Lowell will remain south-southwest of Hawaii on Saturday.  Lowell is forecast to start moving toward the north during the weekend.

Elsewhere, Hurricane Karina continued to weaken gradually  east of Hawaii and Hurricane Marie was spinning southwest of Baja California.

At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Hurricane Karina was located at latitude 20.6°N and longitude 141.1°W which put the center about 910 miles (1465 km) east of Hilo, Hawaii.  Karina was moving toward the west at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 978 mb.

At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Hurricane Marie was located at latitude 20.2°N and longitude 118.6°W which put the center about 590 miles (950 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Marie was moving toward the west-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 972 mb.

Hurricane Lowell Moves South of Hawaii

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Hurricane Lowell moved south of Hawaii on Thursday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Hurricane Lowell was located at latitude 13.5°N and longitude 158.9°W which put the center about 590 miles (945 km) south of Lihue, Hawaii.  Lowell was moving toward the west at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 130 m.p.h. (210 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 155 m.p.h. (250 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 943 mb.

Hurricane Lowell weakened a little on Thursday as it moved south of Hawaii.  An eyewall replacement cycle may have led to the weakening of Lowell.  A circular eye with a diameter of 17 miles (28 km) was still at the center of Lowell’s circulation.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Hurricane Lowell.  Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane. The removal of mass in the upper levels was less than the convergence of mass in the lower levels of the atmosphere.  An accumulation of mass caused the surface pressure to increase on Thursday.

The eyewall replacement cycle cause the size of the circulation around Hurricane Lowell to increase.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Lowell’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (225 km) from the center of Hurricane Lowell.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Hurricane Lowell is 25.1.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 14.6 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 39.7.  Hurricane Lowell is similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Harvey when Harvey hit Texas in 2017.

Hurricane Lowell will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Lowell will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind wind shear.  Hurricane Lowell could intensify during the next 24 hours after the eyewall replacement cycle is fully completed.

Hurricane Lowell will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over the Central North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Lowell toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Lowell will remain south of Hawaii on Friday.  Lowell is forecast to start moving toward the north by the end of the weekend.

Elsewhere, Hurricane Karina continued to weaken gradually and Hurricane Marie intensified to Category 2 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Hurricane Karina was located at latitude 20.1°N and longitude 138.4°W which put the center about 1085 miles (1745 km) east of Hilo, Hawaii.  Karina was moving toward the west-northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 969 mb.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Hurricane Marie was located at latitude 19.6°N and longitude 116.3°W which put the center about 470 miles (755 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Marie was moving toward the west-northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 972 mb.

Hurricane Lowell Intensifies to Cat. 5

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Hurricane Lowell intensified to Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale as it moved south of Hawaii on Wednesday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Lowell was located at latitude 13.3°N and longitude 154.3°W which put the center about 445 miles (715 km) south Hilo, Hawaii.  Lowell was moving toward the west at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 160 m.p.h. (260 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 190 m.p.h. (305 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 927 mb.

Hurricane Lowell intensified to Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Wednesday.  A circular eye with a diameter of 17 miles (28 km) was at the center of Lowell’s circulation the eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Hurricane Lowell.  Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Hurricane Lowell was small.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the center of Lowell’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of Hurricane Lowell.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Hurricane Lowell is 35.0.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 11.5 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 46.5.  Hurricane Lowell is similar in intensity to Hurricane MIchael when Michael hit Northwest Florida in 2018.  Lowell is a little smaller than Michael was.

Hurricane Lowell will move through an environment favorable for a strong hurricane during the next 24 hours.  Lowell will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind wind shear.  Hurricane Lowell could intensify during the next 24 hours unless an eyewall replacement cycle occurs.

Hurricane Lowell will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over the Central North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Lowell toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Lowell will remain south of Hawaii on Thursday.

Elsewhere, Major Hurricane Karina continued to move westward and Tropical Storm Marie intensified gradually on Wednesday.

At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Karina was located at latitude 18.9°N and longitude 133.8°W which put the center about 1390 miles (2235 km) east of Hilo, Hawaii.   Karina was moving toward the west-northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 140 m.p.h. (225 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 165 m.p.h. (265 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 943 mb.

At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Marie was located at latitude 18.0°N and longitude 112.5°W which put the center about 380 miles (610 km) south-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Marie was moving toward the northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 70 m.p.h. (110 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 992 mb.

Tropical Depression Edouard Drops Heavy Rain on Southeast Texas

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Tropical Depression Edouard was dropping heavy rain on parts of southeast Texas on Wednesday morning.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Depression Edouard was located at latitude 30.8°N and longitude 95.0°W which put the center about 30 miles (50 km) south-southwest of Lufkin, Texas.  Edouard was moving toward the north-northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1004 mb.

Tropical Depression Edouard was dropping heavy rain on parts of southeast Texas on Wednesday morning.  A radar image from the U.S. National Weather Service Office in Houston showed that the circulation around Edouard was still very well organized.

Flash Flood Warnings are in effect for East Central San Jacinto County, Southeastern Polk County, and Northeastern Liberty County.

A well defined center of circulation was evident in Tropical Depression Edouard.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Edouard’s circulation.  The heaviest rain was falling in a band that was south of the center of Tropical Depression Edouard.  Moderate to heavy rain falling near the center of Edouard’s circulation.  Moderate to heavy rain was also falling south and east of the center of Tropical Depression Edouard.

Tropical Depression Edouard will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system that is over the Southeast U.S.  The high pressure system will steer Edouard slowly toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Depression Edouard will continue to move farther inland over southeast Texas.

Tropical Storm Edouard will continue to drop heavy rain to parts of southeast Texas.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

A Flood Watch is in effect for parts of southeast Texas.