Major Hurricane Lowell 2026

Live tracking map, satellite, radar, and forecasts of Major Hurricane Lowell 2026 near Hawaii. Current wind speed 155mph. Max 160mph.

The details of Lowell's long-range track and intensity forecasts are more uncertain than usual, and it is too soon to determine potential impacts in the Hawaiian Islands.

Interests in Hawaii should continue to closely monitor the progress of Lowell through this upcoming weekend. This is a good time for all residents to ensure they have their hurricane plan and supply kit in place.

Swells from Lowell are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions in portions of the Hawaiian Islands during the next several days. Depending on the exact track of the storm, these swells are likely to increase early next week.

Since the last advisory, Lowell's satellite signature has decayed, with the cloud tops in the eyewall warming and the eye becoming less distinct. This has been accompanied by a decrease in satellite intensity estimates. A NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft has reported 700-mb flight-level winds of 155 mph (135 knots) and a minimum central pressure near 932–933 mb. Based on these data and continuity from the previous advisory, the initial intensity is reduced to a possibly generous 155 mph (135 knots). Satellite imagery gives the impression that the hurricane is being affected by easterly shear. However, if this is the case, the source of the shear is a bit mysterious, as the available shear diagnostics show shear of less than 10 mph (10 knots).

The initial motion is now 270/9 knots. Currently, Lowell is being steered by a low- to mid-level ridge to the north, and due to this the hurricane should continue moving westward for the next 2–3 days. After that, the track of the hurricane will be controlled by a developing mid- to upper-level trough or low currently seen in water vapor imagery near 32N 164W. During the next several days, the global models forecast this feature to move eastward or southeastward toward the Hawaiian Islands, then turn westward to the north of Lowell. While this will break down the ridge north of Lowell and allow it to turn northward, there is a wide spread of possibilities of when and where this turn will occur. The model consensus has again shifted a little eastward at day 4–5, and the new forecast track is again nudged a little eastward at these times.

The hurricane is expected to stay in a favorable environment of high oceanic heat content and low shear for at least the next three days. However, the intensity guidance calls for slow decay during this time despite the favorable environment. Based on this, the intensity forecast also calls for slow decay. It is likely, though, that eyewall replacement cycles will cause fluctuations in intensity superimposed on the slow decay. Near the end of the forecast period, Lowell should start experiencing increasing shear caused by the upper-level trough, and a more pronounced weakening may begin around day 5. There remains high confidence that Lowell will remain a major hurricane through the weekend.