Glenn James
Hawaii Weather Today
Creator, Author, and Administrator for 30 years

 

The latest update to this website was at 1205pm Tuesday afternoon HST


Here are the latest 24-hour precipitation totals (inches) for each of the islands Tuesday afternoon: 

17.09  Kilohana, Kauai!
2.47  Kaala, Oahu
1.13  Puu Alii, Molokai
0.04  Lanai City, Lanai
3.29  Summit, Maui
1.91  Pali 2, Big Island


The following numbers represent the strongest wind gusts (mph) Tuesday afternoon:

35  Makaha Ridge, Kauai – SW
28  Schofield Barracks, Oahu – SW
31  Makapulapai, Molokai –  SSW 
m   Lanai – missing
31  Kahului AP, Maui – SW
18  Kealakomo, Big Island – SW


Hawaii’s Mountains – Here’s a link to the live webcam on the summit of our tallest mountain Mauna Kea (~13,800 feet high) on the Big Island of Hawaii. Here’s the webcam for the (~10,023 feet high) Haleakala Crater on Maui. These webcams are available during the daylight hours here in the islands, and at night whenever there’s a big moon shining down. Also, at night you will be able to see the stars, and the sunrise and sunset too…depending upon weather conditions.


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Big Blue…click twice for largest version

 

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 Category 1 Hurricane Lowell northwest of Lihue 

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Variable clouds across the state…with Lowell moving away

 

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Category 1 Hurricane Lowell…90 mph sustained winds 

 

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Showers…locally heavy 

 

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Please open this link to see details on any current Watches, Warnings and Advisories noted above




~~~ Hawaii Weather Narrative ~~~

 

Glenn’s Tuesday comments:  I’m at home here in upper Kula, Maui, Hawaii

441am, it’s quite cloudy here at my place. My low temperature here in upper Kula was 64 degrees, relative humidity 84%…and an occasional breeze


Hurricane Lowell

cone graphic

time of arrival graphic

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IR Satellite Image

[Image of U.S. rainfall potential]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hawaii’s Weather Highlights…as of Tuesday afternoon:  South winds will remain strong this morning over Kauai and Oahu, as Hurricane Lowell edges north of the state. A Hurricane Warning remains in effect for Kauai and Niihau, along with a Tropical Storm Warning for Oahu. High surf and periods of heavy rain will impact all islands to some extent, with strong winds mainly impacting the western end of the state. Winds will ease late this morning into the afternoon. Trailing moisture from Lowell will lead to an enhancement of shower activity over Big Island and Maui County through the middle of the week.

General Overview: A very normal weather pattern sets up across the Hawaiian Islands this week. Hurricane Lowell, currently impacting Niihau and Kauai, will be rapidly moving away from the Hawaiian Islands by Wednesday. A rain band or two may still be impacting any of the islands, but as Lowell continues moving away, the bands will rapidly dissipate. 

The rest of the week will feature typical northeast trade winds across all of the islands in the wake of Lowell, with no significant weather features expected through next Monday. By next Tuesday, some of the long-range guidance suggests a weak tropical wave may approach the Big Island before it too dissipates. Should the tropical wave make it on Tuesday, expect more consistent rainfall on the east-facing sides of the Big Island Tuesday afternoon. Otherwise no unusual weather is expected.

Weather Narrative…as of Tuesday afternoon: Hurricane Lowell was about 145 miles northwest of Lihue or 245 miles northwest of Honolulu moving north at 18 mph as a category 1 (maximum sustained winds of 90 mph). Satellite imagery shows mid and upper level clouds being sheared off the lower level circulation, typical of weakening tropical cyclone. As Lowell moves away from the Hawaiian Islands the next several days, further weakening is expected due to persistent shear and decreasing sea surface temperatures along its track.

Across Kauai, tropical storm force winds were widespread early this morning, with several stations gusting to hurricane force. A handful of stations across northwest Oahu, mainly over and in the lee of the Waianae range, reported tropical storm force gusts. Surface pressure gradients should loosen as the day progresses with southerly winds gradually easing.

Additional impacts from Lowell are expected to continue statewide, at least through this afternoon. A High Surf Warning remains in effect for south facing shores for all islands, along with the west facing shores of the Big Island, though surf and swell should decline through the day. A High Surf Advisory remains in effect for the east swell generated by former Tropical Storm Karina, which has weakened to a post tropical low.

A Flood Watch remains in effect for the entire state through this afternoon, as Lowell brings deep moist southerly flow across the islands. Mid to late week, both the GFS and ECMWF models show the trailing band of deep moisture lingering over the eastern half of the state. Confidence is increasing that the Flood Watch will need to be extended for Big Island and possibly Maui County, to cover any additional enhancement of shower activity. Diurnal heating, combined with a relatively deep moisture layer will also allow for a slight chance of thunderstorms over interior Big Island both this afternoon and Wednesday afternoon.

The Tornado Watch has been cancelled for Kauai County and its surrounding waters. The center of Hurricane Lowell has now moved north of the state and the aforementioned area is no longer in the tornadic prone front right quadrant of the storm.

High pressure is forecast to build back in late Thursday through Saturday, bringing back a weak trade wind pattern. Moisture may still take a bit longer to exit the area, so expect some enhancement to shower activity to persist.

Fire Weather:  Fire weather risk will remain low the next several days, due residual moisture associated with Hurricane Lowell. Expect a slight chance of thunderstorms over the Big Island on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday afternoon. Temperature inversion heights are expected to remain elevated or weak.

Hydrology: Hurricane Lowell is expected to produce additional rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches for Kauai, with maximum storm totals of 24 inches possible. For the Big Island, an additional 3 to 6 inches of rain is expected with isolated storm totals of 8 inches possible. For Oahu and Maui counties, an additional 1 to 3 inches of rain is expected with isolated storm totals of 8 inches possible. This rainfall may produce significant flash flooding and mudslides, especially across Kauai county and portions of the Big Island.

 

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Here’s a near real-time Wind Profile of the Pacific Ocean – along with a Closer View of the islands / Here’s the latest Weather Map / Looping Surface Precipitation…through the next 8-days / Vog Map

 

Marine Conditions…as of Tuesday afternoon: Hurricane Lowell is now lifting north of Kauai and Niihau. A Hurricane Warning remains in effect for waters west of Kauai County, while a Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for Kauai Channel, Kauai Windward Waters, Oahu Windward Waters and Oahu Leeward Waters. The Small Craft Advisory (SCA) also remains in effect for all remaining coastal waters for a combination of winds and seas. Winds and seas are expected to decrease rapidly today, as the hurricane weakens and moves away from the islands, falling below SCA criteria by this evening. For the western offshore waters, hurricane conditions are expected to continue today until the cyclone exits the region to the northwest.

Southwest swell from Hurricane Lowell produced surf along south facing shores in excess of warning criteria overnight. This surf continues into the early morning hours, which may continue to bring damaging surf to portions of Kauai County, with the potential for significant damage to coastal properties and infrastructure, particularly to those areas along the coast exposed to the southerly swell over the next several hours. Surf will quickly fall to advisory criteria and then below advisory criteria by tonight. An additional moderate, long-period south swell which is peaking today, will then keep surf elevated just below advisory criteria once the southwest swell from Lowell fades by this afternoon. This southerly swell will maintain some south shore surf as it gradually fades through Thursday.

A medium-period east swell from former Tropical Storm Karina combined with east to southeast wind wave generated by Hurricane Lowell will maintain advisory level surf along east facing shores this morning, but will drop below advisory levels by tonight. Surf along north facing shores will experience a small bump on Tuesday, with Lowell located northwest of the island chain and then fade through the week as it weakens and tracks away from the islands.

 

>>> Highest Temperature Monday, September 7, 2026 – 108 degrees Gila Bend, AZ


>>> Lowest Temperature Monday, September 7, 2026 – 24 degrees near Old Station, CA

 

Hawaii Weather: What Travelers Need to Know Right Now - Hawaii Aloha Travel


World-wide Tropical Cyclone Activity

 



>>> Here’s a link to the latest Pacific Disaster Center’s Weather Wall


Atlantic Ocean: There are no active tropical cyclones


Caribbean Sea: There are no active tropical cyclones


Gulf of America: There are no active tropical cyclones

 

 Northeast Pacific:

Post-Tropical Cyclone 13E (Marie)…is located about 780 miles southwest of San Diego, California – Last Advisory

MARIE BECOMES A POST TROPICAL CYCLONE

According to the NHC advisory number 28…

The post-tropical cyclone is moving toward the west-northwest near 9 mph and is forecast to turn to the northwest over the next day or so. Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph with higher gusts. Steady weakening is expected to continue, and Marie is forecast to dissipate in a couple of days. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles from the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1000 mb (29.53 inches).

 

>>> Offshore of Southwestern Mexico:

Showers and thunderstorms associated with a broad area of low pressure located several hundred miles southwest of southwestern Mexico are showing signs of organization. Gradual development of this system is likely, and a tropical depression is expected to form later this week while the system moves generally west-northwestward at 10 to 15 mph.

* Formation chance through 48 hours…low…20 percent
* Formation chance through 7 days…high…70 percent

 

>>> Well south of the southern tip of Baja California:

An area of low pressure is forecast to develop several hundred miles south of the southern tip of Baja California this weekend or early next week. Some slow development is possible as this system moves generally west-northwestward.

* Formation chance through 48 hours…low…0 percent
* Formation chance through 7 days…low…20 percent

 

Central North Pacific:

Tropical Cyclone 12E (Lowell)…is located about 145 miles northwest of Lihue, Hawaii

FLASH FLOODING IN THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS CONTINUES WITH LOWELL

According to the NHC advisory number 50…

Lowell is moving toward the north near 18 mph. This general motion is forecast through today, taking the core of Lowell farther from Kauai County. Lowell is then forecast to turn toward the northwest and west and slow down on Wednesday and Thursday after passing the main Hawaiian Islands. Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 90 mph with higher gusts. Weakening is forecast, and Lowell should become a tropical storm later today and continue to weaken for the next couple of days. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 70 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 230 miles. Lihue Airport (PHLI) along the southeastern coast of Kauai recently reported sustained winds of 35 mph with a gust to 47 mph. The estimated minimum central pressure is 967 mb (28.56 inches).

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND

WIND: Hurricane conditions are occuring across portions of Kauai County. Wind speeds atop and on the windward and leeward sides of hills and mountains are often up to 30 percent stronger than the near-surface winds. Tropical storm conditions, especially in gusts, are occurring on Oahu.

Hurricane conditions are ongoing in the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument between Nihoa and French Frigate Shoals.

RAINFALL: Hurricane Lowell is expected to produce additional rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches for Kauai, with maximum storm totals of 24 inches possible. For the Big Island, an additional 3 to 6 inches of rain is expected with isolated storm totals of 8 inches possible. For Oahu and Maui counties, an additional 1 to 3 inches of rain is expected with isolated storm totals of 8 inches possible. This rainfall may produce significant flash flooding and mudslides, especially across Kauai county and portions of the Big Island.

STORM SURGE: Water levels may remain elevated along the coasts of Niihau, Kauai, and Oahu due to large waves, and will begin to subside after the next high tide cycle.

SURF: Swells from Lowell will continue to generate life-threatening surf and rip current conditions during the next few days across many of the Hawaiian Islands.

 

Northwest Pacific Ocean:

Tropical Cyclone 22W (Krovanh) is located approximately 153 NM south-southeast of Iwakuni, Japan

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>>> Southwest Pacific Ocean: There are no active tropical cyclones

>>> North and South Indian Oceans / Arabian Sea: There are no active tropical cyclones

Here’s the link to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC)



Interesting:  Q&A: The Arctic Melt Season Is a Week Longer Now Than It Was in the 1980s, Shows New UW Research on Sea Ice Trends

Relatively few people have been to the Arctic, and even fewer have set foot in Antarctica. Most of us rely on our imaginations and media to visualize these landscapes and the ways they are changing.

Research shows that the Arctic is warming four times faster than the global average. The sea ice is melting, exposing more open ocean and throwing the ecosystem out of balance. The story of Antarctica contains fewer details, but emerging trends are concerning to researchers.

Conceptualizing this change can be challenging for those of us who have only glimpsed Greenland from the airplane window, but for someone with firsthand experience, it’s eye-opening.

Read More: University of Washington

Image: Researchers collecting measurements of algae and sea ice properties in the Chukchi Sea in July 2011, as part of NASA’s Impacts of Climate on the Eco-Systems and Chemistry of the Arctic Pacific Environment (ICESCAPE) mission. The changes of the Arctic sea ice cover have repercussions for the functioning of the polar marine ecosystem.