This morningโs 2 a.m. bulletin was a Category 2. The 5 a.m. bulletin is not a reopen.
Hurricane Lowell, Advisory 50, 5 a.m. HST: 90 mph, 145 miles northwest of Lihue, 245 northwest of Honolulu, moving north at 18 mph. Pressure 967 mb. That is a Category 1. NHC says weakening continues and Lowell should become a tropical storm later today, then keep fading Wednesday and Thursday after a northwest-then-west turn.
The sentence that still matters did not change. Hurricane conditions are occurring across portions of Kauai County. Tropical-storm conditions, especially in gusts, are occurring on Oahu. Hurricane-force winds still reach 70 miles. Tropical-storm-force winds 230. Lihue Airport recently: 35 mph sustained, gust 47 โ down from 53 / 75 at 2 a.m. That is the pass. It is not the all-clear.
Hurricane warning stays on Kauai and Niihau, and on Papahanaumokuakea from Nihoa to French Frigate Shoals. Tropical storm warning stays on Oahu. No changes with this advisory.
Rain is the second storm. Additional Kauai 2 to 4 inches, maximum storm totals still as high as 24. Big Island 3 to 6 more, isolated storm total 8. Oahu and Maui County 1 to 3, isolated 8. Flash flooding and mudslides still on the table. Water levels along Niihau, Kauai, and Oahu stay elevated until after the next high tide. Surf stays life-threatening for days.
Next intermediate: 8 a.m. HST. Next full package: 11 a.m.
What this means for you
If you are on Kauai, 90 is not 105 and it is still a hurricane over your island. If you are on Oahu, gusts are still the local verb. If you fly Lihue, the airport closed 2:30 p.m. Monday โ the airline, not a cousin.
Bottom line: Cat 1. 145 miles northwest of Lihue. Warnings up. Tropical storm later today is a forecast, not a permission slip.
GLHR NEWS explains the news. Not investment, tax, or trading advice. Do your own work before you act.
