Glenn James

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

 

The latest update to this website was at 6pm Monday evening HST


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

11.99  Mount Waialeale, Kauai
3.17  Poamoho RG 1, Oahu
0.70  Puu Alii, Molokai
0.01  Lanai 1, Lanai
5.73  West Wailuaiki, Maui
2.01  Honolii Stream, Big Island


The following numbers represent the strongest wind gusts (mph) Monday evening:

50  Waimea Heights, Kauai – ENE 
45  Oahu Forest NWR, Oahu – SE
33  Makapulapai, Molokai –  E 
m   Lanai – missing
43  Nene Nest, Maui – S
30  Hilo AP, Big Island – SW


Hawaii’s MountainsHere’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 2 Hurricane Lowell southwest of Lihue, Hawaii…and Tropical Storm Marie far east

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Variable clouds across the state…former TC  Karina northeast

 

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Category 2 Hurricane Lowell…110 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




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

457am, it’s mostly clear with a few clouds here in Maui County. My low temperature here in upper Kula was 62.5 degrees, relative humidity 85%…and calm winds

912am, clouds are increasing over Maui County, and we’re having a breeze developing here in upper Kula.

318pm, looking at the radar image, I see all the islands receiving lots of heavy rainfall…except the islands of Maui County.

4pm, we’re finally getting a light shower here in upper Kula.

540pm, it’s cloudy across Maui County, with numerous showers, even here in upper Kula.


Hurricane Lowell

cone graphic

time of arrival graphic

IR Satellite Image

[Image of U.S. rainfall potential]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Image of cumulative wind history]

 

Hawaii’s Weather Highlights…as of Monday evening: Southeast to south winds will strengthen tonight as Hurricane Lowell approaches. The core of Lowell is forecast to pass near Niihau tonight into early Tuesday. Damaging hurricane conditions are expected, with numerous threats in place throughout the state. A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Kauai and Niihau and a Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Oahu. High surf and heavy rain will impact all islands with strong winds mainly impacting the western end of the state.

General Overview: All eyes in Hawaii remain on Hurricane Lowell as it tracks west of Niihau and Kauai, but close enough to those islands to have hurricane and heavy rainfall concerns. The higher elevations of Kauai will allow for enhanced rainfall into the leeward/south side of the island, as the outer rainbands of Lowell move northward, and the southerly flow brings heavy rainfall to the usually drier sides of those islands. Flash flooding will be a notable concern. Enhanced easterly flow as a result of the passage of the hurricane means the other islands also get heavier rains, but for the most part will be aimed at the windward and typically wetter sides of those islands.

Once Lowell moves away into the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument by Tuesday, a more typical trade wind weather regime will return to the islands. A tropical wave may impact the islands late weekend/early next week, but the timing and intensity of that wave remains to be seen in the guidance.

Weather Narrative…as of Monday evening: Hurricane Lowell is about 160 statute miles southwest of Kauai moving north-northeastward at 18 mph as a high end category 2 (maximum sustained winds of 110 mph). The core of Lowell is expected to pass west of Niihau, raising the possibility of hurricane force winds reaching Kauai and Niihau and Tropical Storm force winds reaching Oahu. As a result, a Hurricane Warning is in place for Niihau and Kauai and a Tropical Storm warning is in place for Oahu.

On satellite imagery bands of moderate rain with embedded heavy rain and have been moving over Kauai, and to a lesser extent the other islands. The shower frequency and intensity is expected to increase tonight, as Lowell makes its closest approach. Winds will also tend to be strongest within the heavier rain bands. Additional impacts from Lowell are expected statewide.

A High Surf Warning is active for south facing shores for the south swell, generated by Lowell for all islands, along with the west facing shores of the Big Island. 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. The Flood Watch for the state continues through Tuesday, due to heavy rain brought in by Lowell and associated rain and thunderstorm bands. Terrain influence will play a big factor with isolated areas receiving significant amounts through the event.

The threat of short-lived, fast-moving tornados/waterspouts will be present mainly near Kauai and Niihau as Lowell makes its closest approach to the islands. A tornado watch is in effect for Kauai and Niihau. Any tornadoes would likely be embedded in rainbands. The threat for tornadoes is lower near the remaining islands, but not zero. The threat for tornadoes should decrease quickly early Tuesday morning.

Any deviation in track or intensity could also change how these hazards effect the islands. High pressure is forecast to build back in Thursday through Saturday, bringing in a more typical trade wind pattern. Moisture may take a bit longer to exit the area as well, so conditions are expected to dry out more gradually into the weekend.

Fire Weather:  Fire weather risk will remain low through the forecast period, due to increasing moisture moving over the islands in association with Hurricane Lowell. Thunderstorms will be possible through tonight, due to the unstable airmass moving overhead. Temperature inversion heights are expected to remain elevated or non-existent during the next few days.

Hydrology: Thus far, around 6 to 10 inches of rain have fallen on Kauai, 2 to 5 inches on Oahu and Maui County, and around 2 inches on the Big Island. The potential for flooding remains through Tuesday, and a Flood Watch is in effect for the entire state. Due to the amount of rain that has fallen especially over Kauai today, any heavy showers could trigger quick flash flooding. It is possible the watch may need to be extended into Tuesday night or Wednesday depending on the lingering rain bands across the state, in the wake of Lowell.

Hurricane Lowell is expected to bring additional rain to the islands through Wednesday morning, with 4 to 8 inches, isolated 12 inches across Kauai. Oahu and Maui County, 2 to 5 inches, isolated 10 inches. Big Island, 4 to 8 inches, isolated 12 inches. This rainfall may produce significant flash flooding and mudslides, especially across Kauai County and south and east portions of the Big Island. Its important to note that any pop up thunderstorms that develop could dramatically increase total rainfall amounts anywhere.

 

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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 MapLooping Surface Precipitation…through the next 8-days / Vog Map

 

Marine Conditions…as of Monday evening: Hurricane Lowell continues to move northward towards the islands this afternoon. Winds and seas are on the increase as the system approaches, and both are expected to peak overnight as Lowell makes it closest approach to Kauai County. 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 remains in effect for all remaining coastal waters for a combination of winds and seas through Tuesday. Winds are expected to increasingly veer to the southeast to south as Lowell approaches and the strongest winds and highest seas are expected for the western end of the state.

Hurricane conditions are expected in the western offshore waters through Tuesday as the center of Lowell tracks just west of Niihau. Any slight deviation in the track to the west or east in the next 12 to 24 hours will have significant differences in impact for the coastal waters around Kauai County. What remains of former Tropical Cyclone Karina remains to the northeast of the islands and is expected to dissipate soon.

South-southwest swell from Hurricane Lowell will continue to build rapidly, and peak tonight as it shifts out of the southwest. As a result, warning level surf along south facing shores will continue to rise, peaking overnight. Due to the track of Lowell west of the main islands, a sharp gradient in swell is expected from west to east. This will bring damaging surf to portions of Kauai County and likely Oahu, with the potential for significant damage to coastal properties and infrastructure, particularly to those areas along the coasts of Kauai and Oahu exposed to the southerly swell. The hurricane swell energy is expected to rapidly decline on Tuesday as Lowell moves away from the islands.

A moderate, long-period south swell will peak overnight and into Tuesday, but will be overwhelmed by the larger swell mentioned above from Hurricane Lowell. This swell will also fade some on Tuesday but will keep south shore surf somewhat elevated through Thursday. A large, medium-period east swell from former Tropical Storm Karina will combine with increasing east to southeast wind wave generated by Hurricane Lowell to keep advisory level surf along east facing shores through Tuesday. Surf along north facing shores will also experience a small increase on Tuesday as Lowell lifts north of the island chain and then fade through the week.

 

>>> 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:

Tropical Cyclone 13E (Marie)…is located about 745 miles southwest of San Diego, California

DANGEROUS BEACH CONDITIONS EXPECTED ALONG THE COAST OF BAJA CALIFORNIA AND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS

According to the NHC advisory number 28…

Marie is moving toward the west-northwest near 8 mph. A turn to the northwest is forecast to occur over the next couple of days. Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 50 mph with higher gusts. Steady weakening is expected for the next couple of days, and Marie is forecast to become a post-tropical remnant low by Wednesday. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles from the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 994 mb (29.36 inches)

 

>>> Offshore of Southwestern Mexico:

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

* Formation chance through 48 hours…low…10 percent
* Formation chance through 7 days…medium…60 percent

 

Central North Pacific:

Tropical Cyclone 12E (Lowell)…is located about 170 miles southwest of Lihue, Hawaii

DANGEROUS CONDITIONS EXPECTED FOR NIIHAU, KAUAI, AND OAHU, WITH FLASH FLOODING, DAMAGING WAVES, AND HIGH WINDS EXPECTED FROM LOWELL

According to the NHC advisory number 48…

Lowell is moving toward the north-northeast near 18 mph. A north-northeastward to northward motion is forecast through Tuesday. On the forecast track, the core of Lowell is expected to pass near or just west of Niihau tonight and early Tuesday. Lowell is then forecast to turn toward the northwest and slow down by early Wednesday after passing the Hawaiian Islands. Maximum sustained winds are near 110 mph with higher gusts. Weakening is expected over the next several days. However, Lowell is forecast to remain a hurricane as it passes near the Hawaiian Islands tonight into early Tuesday. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 70 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 175 miles. Lihue Airport on Kauai recently reported sustained winds of 38 mph with a gust to 49 mph. The latest minimum central pressure estimated from aircraft dropsonde data is 956 mb (28.23 inches).

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND

WIND: Hurricane conditions are expected in Kauai County beginning this evening. 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 are expected on Oahu beginning this evening. Hurricane conditions are expected in the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument between Nihoa and French Frigate Shoals tonight, with tropical storm conditions beginning this afternoon.

RAINFALL: Lowell is expected to produce additional rainfall totals of 6 to 10 inches for Kauai, with maximum totals of 16 inches possible. For the Big Island, 4 to 8 inches of rain is expected with isolated totals of 12 inches possible. For Oahu and Maui County, 4 to 8 inches of rain is expected with isolated totals of 10 inches possible. This rainfall may produce significant flash flooding and mudslides, especially across Kauai County and portions of the Big Island.

STORM SURGE: The combination of storm surge and tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide…

Kauai County…2-4 ft, with the highest expected values along the south coast of Kauai and the island of Niihau
Oahu…Up to 1 ft

The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast near and to the right of the center, where the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves. Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over short distances.

TORNADOES: Several tornadoes are possible near Kauai and Niihau this evening through overnight. A few tornadoes are also possible across the remainder of the Hawaiian Islands.

SURF: Swells from Lowell are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions during the next several days across many of the Hawaiian islands.

 

Northwest Pacific Ocean:

Tropical Cyclone 22W (Krovanh) is located approximately 224 NM southeast of Sasebo, 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: 
A Surge of Marine Heat Waves Threatens to Scramble Ocean Life

The common octopus is a warm water species that usually lives in the temperate waters of the Mediterranean. But last year, octopus larvae hitchhiked across the English Channel attached to plankton, resulting in an octopus bloom off England’s coast. This year, the bloom is the largest it’s been in 75 years.

Normally, octopus larvae that drift into cold waters die. But this year’s bloom, experts say, is the result of an unusually intense marine heat wave off of Devon and Cornwall, which raised water temperatures up to 9 degrees F above normal.

The change in species has been a boon for local fishers selling octopus into the lucrative European export market. (Octopus landings along the U.K.’s southwest coast were roughly 7,700 percent higher than usual in 2025.) And while the invasion has slashed the catch of scallops, lobster, and crab, it has boosted numbers of seals, conger eels, and dolphins, which eat octopus. The warming, in combination with abundant prey, has also drawn bluefin tuna and sharks to British waters for the first time in decades.

Read More: Yale Environment 360