official data
Lowell still Cat 4 at 130 mph — track turns toward Hawaii late Monday
The Central Pacific Hurricane Center / National Hurricane Center Hurricane Lowell Advisory Number 31 and Discussion Number 31, issued at 5:00 PM HST Thursday 3 September 2026 (0300 UTC), place the center near 13.5°N, 158.9°W — about 495 miles (800 km) south-southwest of Hilo and about 590 miles (945 km) south of Lihue. NOAA Hurricane Hunter data showed maximum 700-mb flight-level winds of 116 kt and radar estimates near 125 kt at 0.5 km, with central pressure near 943 mb; initial intensity is reduced to 115 kt (130 mph), Category 4. Motion is west at 9 mph (270°/8 kt). The discussion states the track would bring the center of Lowell near or just west of the westernmost main Hawaiian Islands late Monday into early Tuesday, still forecast at or near major hurricane strength on closest approach, with possible modest re-intensification after an eyewall replacement cycle and increasing southwest shear after about 72 hours. No coastal watches or warnings are in effect. Key messages flag possible surge, wind, and rain impacts early next week, Labor Day weekend monitoring, and life-threatening surf and rip currents for several days.
Key facts
- Center
- 13.5°N, 158.9°W — about 495 mi (800 km) SSW of Hilo / about 590 mi (945 km) S of Lihue
- Intensity / pressure
- 115 kt (130 mph) Category 4; central pressure near 943 mb; Hurricane Hunter 700-mb flight-level 116 kt; radar ~125 kt at 0.5 km
- Motion
- West at 9 mph (270°/8 kt); west then NW/N turn this weekend
- Closest approach outlook
- Center near or just west of westernmost main Hawaiian Islands late Monday into early Tuesday; at or near major-hurricane strength
- Watches / warnings
- No coastal watches or warnings yet
- Hazards
- Possible surge/wind/rain early next week; Labor Day weekend monitoring; life-threatening surf/rips several days
This track would bring the center of Lowell near or just west of the westernmost main Hawaiian Islands late Monday into early Tuesday.
CPHC/NHC Hurricane Lowell Discussion Number 31, Sep 3, 2026
Note
Primary source preference: CPHC/NHC Hurricane Lowell Advisory Number 31 and Discussion Number 31 (EP122026) at 0300 UTC 4 September 2026. Intensity is aircraft-backed and reduced from the prior aircraft Cat-4 peak. Doom Signals does not invent Hawaii landfall claims beyond those products.
Discussion guidance notes possible modest re-intensification after the eyewall replacement cycle and increasing southwest shear after about 72 hours. Interests in Hawaii should continue to monitor official CPHC/NHC products for any watches or warnings.
- Advisory: Hurricane Lowell Adv. 31 / Discussion 31, EP122026
- Place: Central Pacific south-southwest of Hilo, Hawaii
- Official coords: 13.5, −158.9
Why it matters
Sep 3 Adv./Disc. 31 materially updates the Sep 2 aircraft Cat-4 board item: intensity down to 130 mph / ~943 mb with an eyewall-replacement note, and an explicit closest-approach track toward the westernmost main Hawaiian Islands late Monday while still major-hurricane strength.
Sources
Official data. Not a forecast.