Hurricane Lowell closes in on Hawai'i as Pacific storm season grows

Hawaiʻi is bracing for Hurricane Lowell as the powerful storm moves closer to the islands.

Kauaʻi and Niʻihau are facing the greatest risk as conditions begin to worsen, metservice reports.

Lowell was a Category 3 hurricane on Monday with winds of up to 193km/h as it moved north towards Hawaiʻi.

A hurricane watch is in place for Kauaʻi and Niʻihau while a tropical storm warning covers the islands.

The National Hurricane Center says Lowell is expected to pass west of the islands on Tuesday (NZT) but its effects could still be severe.

Forecasters are warning of heavy rain, flash flooding, mudslides, high surf and storm surge - up to 14 inches of rain possible in some areas.

Hawaiʻi is preparing for Hurricane Lowell, with Kauaʻi and Niʻihau facing the greatest risk from the storm’s impacts. Photo/Satellite/X

Hawaiʻi Governor Josh Green has declared a state of emergency as authorities prepare for the storm.

“We are taking Hurricane Lowell extremely seriously and preparing now, before conditions deteriorate,” Green said on national TV.

“State, county and federal partners are coordinating closely and positioning personnel, equipment and other resources where they may be needed.”

Hawaiʻi Governor Josh Green has declared a state of emergency as authorities prepare for Hurricane Lowell. Photo/Josh Green/file

Lowell has already shown how quickly the threat can change.

The hurricane briefly reached Category 5 strength earlier in its path before weakening, then turned towards Hawaiʻi.

The storm is also part of an unusual period of hurricane activity across the Pacific.

Hurricanes Karina, Lowell and Marie have been active at the same time, marking the first time in a decade that three hurricanes have been spinning across the Pacific at once.

Lowell is the third major storm threat in just over three weeks to threaten the US territory.

Tropical Storm Moke brought heavy rain and strong winds two weeks ago after Hurricane Lala.

Hurricane Lala caused millions of dollars in infrastructure and home damage in Hawaiʻi before the latest series of storms. Photo/

Lala caused at least US$43 million (NZ$73.17 million) in infrastructure damage on Hawaiʻi Island and another US$4.6m (NZ$7.83m) in damage to homes, according to the figures in a government report.

Lowell's threat comes as the Pacific faces another major climate warning.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) says a rapidly strengthening El Niño is expected to become very strong and could be the most powerful since modern monitoring began.

There is a near-100 per cent chance the event will continue through February 2027, the WMO said with El Niño's strongest phase expected towards the end of this year.

Celeste Saulo, WMO Secretary-General, said the event could become “off the charts” compared with records from the past four decades.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has described the situation as “supersized before our eyes”, warning that the world is entering a “danger zone of extreme weather”.

El Niño itself is a natural climate pattern but scientists say its effects are being felt on top of a warming planet - increasing the risk of extreme heat, heavy rain, drought and other severe weather.

For communities across the Pacific, Lowell is another reminder of how quickly extreme weather can turn into an immediate threat and why early warnings and preparation matter, officials said.