Honolulu Star-Advertiser-Tropical Storm Lowell
"Tropical Storm Lowell approaches Central Pacific--expected to become hurricane."
Views expressed in this Tropical Storm Lowell summary are those of the reporters and correspondents. Accessed on 30 August 2026, 0058 UTC.
Content and Source: "Honolulu Star-Advertiser."
URL--https://www.staradvertiser.com/2026/08/29/breaking-news/tropical-storm-lowell-expected-to-strengthen-as-it-heads-to-central-pacific/
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Russ Roberts (https://hawaiinewsmonitor.blogspot.com).
Tropical Storm Lowell approaches Central Pacific; expected to become hurricane
COURTESY NHC
The five-day forecast for Tropical Storm Lowell as of 11 a.m. today
UPDATE: 11:20 a.m.
Tropical Storm Lowell took a turn to the west-northwest this morning while maintaining its strength, but forecasters expect it to resume it’s westward trek toward the Central Pacific and grow into a hurricane.
As of about 11 a.m., Lowell was centered 1,275 miles east-southeast of Hilo with 45 mph maximum sustained winds and moving west-northwest at 13 mph in the East Pacific, according to the National Hurricane Center. Tropical storm-force winds extend up to 70 miles from Lowell’s center.
The updated five-day forecast map shows Lowell in the Central Pacific Sunday, becoming a hurricane Monday, and growing into a powerful Category 2 cyclone with 110 mph winds Wednesday and Thursday when it will be several hundred miles southeast of Hawaii island.
“A westward motion should resume during the next few hours and continue for the next several days,” forecasters said in the 11 a.m. forecast. “Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph with higher gusts. Gradual strengthening is expected during the weekend, and Lowell could become a hurricane by Monday or Monday night.”
Closer to Mexico, Tropical Storm Karina was expected to become a hurricane by early Sunday and a major Category 3 storm with 115 mph winds by Monday.
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At 11 a.m. today, Karina had 70 mph maximum sustained winds and was 730 miles southwest of the southern tip of Baja California, moving northwest, away from land, at 12 mph. Tropical storm-force winds extend up to 230 miles from the center.
By Thursday, Karina is expected to have weakened to a tropical storm far off in the East Pacific that poses no threat to land, according to NHC.
The hurricane center’s forecasters said one unknown is how the bigger, more powerful Karina will affect the development and movement of Lowell.
They said by the end of Lowell’s current forecast period on Thursday, “the intensity forecast becomes more uncertain due to Lowell’s potential interaction with Karina.”
“The (current) forecast intensity … calls for Lowell and Karina to stay far enough apart for Lowell to maintain its strength or keep strengthening. However, a slower forward motion could expose Lowell to stronger shear associated with outflow from Karina and cause a weaker storm,” forecasters said
PREVIOUS COVERAGE
Tropical Storm Lowell maintained its strength in the East Pacific overnight and is still on track to reach hurricane status in the Central Pacific by Monday.
Lowell had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and was centered 1,370 miles east-southeast of Hilo as of about 5 a.m. today, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami. It was moving west, toward the Central Pacific, at 8 mph. Tropical storm-force winds of 39 mph or more extend up to 70 miles, mostly to the west of the center.
“Gradual strengthening is expected during the weekend, and Lowell could become a hurricane by Monday or Monday night,” forecasters said.
The latest five-day forecast map shows Lowell in the Central Pacific Sunday and strengthening into a powerful Category 2 hurricane with 110 mph winds by Thursday, when it is several hundred miles southeast of Hawaii island.
Far to the east of Lowell, Tropical Storm Karina is also expected to grow into a strong hurricane over the next few days but remain far from land, the NHC said.
As of 5 a.m. today, Karina had maximum sustained winds of 65 mph and was centered 710 miles southwest of the southern tip of Baja California, moving northwest, away from land, at 12 mph. Tropical storm-force winds extend up to 230 miles from the center.
The only impact to land expected from Karina is higher surf in Baja, forecasters said.
Karina is expected to peak as a major Category 3 hurricane with 115 mph sustained winds on Monday, but weaken back to a strong tropical storm by Thursday, according to the five-day forecast.
The hurricane center’s forecasters said one unknown is how the bigger, more powerful Karina will affect the development and movement of Lowell as it moves closer to Hawaii.
They said by the end of Lowell’s current forecast period on Thursday, “the intensity forecast becomes more uncertain due to Lowell’s potential interaction with Karina … a faster westward track would likely keep the cyclones sufficiently separated and allow Lowell to continue strengthening, while a slower solution could expose Lowell to stronger shear associated with outflow from Karina.”
As the two cyclones churn in the Pacific, Hawaii is expected to enjoy warm, sunny weather in the coming week.
“Breezy trades continue well into next week. Showers will generally favor windward and mauka areas, particularly during the overnight through early morning hours each day,” the National Weather Service said this morning. “An uptick in moisture next week could increase shower activity.”
Honolulu is expected to see mostly sunny or partly cloudy skies with high temperatures in the upper 80s to low 90s through Wednesday. Showers will be scattered over the next few days, and winds will be from the east at 15 to 25 mph through Monday, forecasters said.
