Published 9 hours ago • loading... • Updated 1 hour ago
Hurricane Lowell Sends Dangerous Swell Toward Hawaii
National Hurricane Center says Lowell could bring life-threatening surf, rip currents and up to 10 inches of rain to parts of Hawaii.
On Sunday, Category 4 Hurricane Lowell continued tracking toward Hawaii with 145 mph sustained winds, though forecasters expect the storm to pass west of the Hawaiian Islands early next week.
Weakening high-pressure ridges and a deepening jet stream dip are steering the system northward, forcing the hurricane to curve away from a direct path into the main island chain.
The National Hurricane Center forecasts 14-foot waves across the islands, while Kauai and the Big Island face 3 to 6 inches of rain, with maximum totals exceeding 10 inches possible.
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green declared a state of emergency, urging residents to "remain prepared and continue following official weather updates" as officials secure harbors and deploy emergency personnel.
During a season featuring 15 named storms, experts link the intensity to El Niño-driven warm sea surface temperatures, with researchers noting the phenomenon is "being supersized before our eyes" due to climate change.