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

 

The latest update to this website was at 820pm Sunday evening HST


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

2.95  Mount Waialeale, Kauai
6.62  Kamananui Stream, Oahu
2.18  Honolimaloo, Molokai
0.35  Lanai City, Lanai
4.83  West Wailuaiki, Maui
4.56  Honolii Stream, Big Island


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

29  Port Allen, Kauai – ENE
25  Kaneohe, Oahu – NE
31  Makapulapai, Molokai –  ESE 
m   Lanai – missing
36  Na Kula, Maui – NE
24  South Point, Big Island – NE


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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Major Hurricane Lowell south-southwest of Lihue, Hawaii…with Post Tropical Cyclone Karina well to the east-northeast…and  Hurricane Marie spinning away from the Mexican coast

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Variable clouds across the state 

 

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Major Hurricane Lowell 

 

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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 Sunday comments:  I’m at home here in upper Kula, Maui, Hawaii

831am, it’s mostly cloudy here in Maui County. My low temperature here in upper Kula was 62.5 degrees, with a light shower earlier this morning…and calm winds

11am, partly to mostly cloudy here in Maui County

1pm, cloudy up here in Kula, partial sunshine down closer to the coasts. I’ve seen a couple of drops falling and there’s fog just up the mountain from here.

250pm, the clouds are thickening here in upper Kula this afternoon, with less dense clouds and with muted sunshine down closer to the coasts, as we move through the afternoon. It’s not raining here at my place, although I keep looking out to see if any water is falling from these darker gray clouds yet.

425pm, it’s cloudy in most areas here on Maui, with what looks like heavy rains falling generally along the windward sides, although Pukalani into part of the central valley looks wet too. I’m still dry here in Kula, with muted sunshine at the time of this writing. It’s becoming very muggy as moist tropical air from the south envelopes the island chain.

530pm, just snuck in my last walk of the day before it started to rain here in upper Kula.  There’s essentially no wind to speak of here, so I’m currently not too worried about losing power, although just in case I’m keeping my laptop and cell phone charged up to da max. BTW, it just started to rain heavier…dis ain’t no light shower!

 

We continue to be in the heart of our hurricane season, so that we need to keep our eyes peeled for systems taking aim on our Hawaiian Islands through the end of November.


Hurricane Lowell

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IR Satellite Image

[Image of U.S. rainfall potential]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hawaii’s Weather Highlights…as of Sunday evening: Breezy easterly trade winds will continue to gradually veer to the east-southeast over the next day or so, as Hurricane Lowell approaches the western islands from the south. Lowell is forecast to pass west of Kauai’s coastal waters Monday night. A Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch are in effect for Kauai, Niihau and the surrounding coastal waters as a result. Impacts such as high surf and heavy rain could impact all of the islands.

General Overview: An active tropical pattern across the central to eastern Pacific between Lowell passing to the south and then west of the Islands, and Karina passing to the northeast of the Islands, will keep trades disrupted across the Islands into at least the mid part of the upcoming week.

The track of Lowell should result in a northward transport of anomalous precipitable water values, 2 to 4 standard deviations above the mean, across all of the state beginning tonight and continuing into Wednesday afternoon. This will support potential for heavy rains across all of the Islands.

Rainfall totals of 4 to 8 inches with maximum amounts of 12+ inches possible for Kauai, 2 to 6 inches with maximum totals of 10 inches for the Big Island, 2 to 4 inches with maximum amounts of 8″+ possible for Maui, and rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches across the remainder of the Islands. This rainfall may produce flash flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain.

A more normal trade pattern should re-establish across the Islands Thursday and Friday. However, broad low pressure to the south of the Islands may again disrupt the trades heading into next weekend.

Weather Narrative..as of Sunday evening: Hurricane Lowell is about 500 miles south-southwest of Kauai this afternoon and is moving northward. Lowell is expected to pass west of the Kauai coastal waters late Monday through Monday night. Tropical storm force winds are expected to reach Kauai and Niihau at the the closet approach, and thus a Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Kauai County and the surrounding coastal waters. As the track has nudged to the east, it has raised the possibility of hurricane force winds reaching Kauai and Niihau, as a result a Hurricane Watch has also been issued for these areas.

Additional impacts from Lowell are expected statewide, and a few headlines are in effect as a result. The High Surf Advisory has been upgraded to a High Surf Warning 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 which is about 620 miles east northeast of the Big Island this afternoon.

The Flood Watch for the state continues through Tuesday afternoon. Rain being carried in on the easterly trade winds this morning has started to shift out of a slightly southeast direction in response to the winds beginning to veer, and the interaction with the terrain on a few islands has led to some heavier rainfall. Additionally some thunderstorms formed over the Big Island slopes this afternoon bringing heavy rain there. As a result, some flood advisories and warnings have been issued, and more are possible as the event continues to unfold. With Kauai and Niihau being the closest to Lowell, rainfall totals are expected to be highest there, but due to the terrain influence on the Big Island, isolated areas could receive significant rain over the next couple of days. Stay alert for the issuance of any future flood advisories or warnings across the state.

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. These 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.

For surf and other marine impacts, please see the marine section of the discussion below.

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 with a drier and more stable airmass.

Fire Weather:  Fire weather risk will remain low through the forecast period due to increasing moisture associated with Hurricane Lowell. The temperatures inversion heights are currently near 11,000 ft from Maui to the Big Island, and are expected to remain elevated during the next few days.

Hydrology: The potential for flooding exists through Tuesday afternoon, and as a result, a Flood Watch is in effect for the entire state. Between now and Tuesday afternoon, Hurricane Lowell is expected to bring additional rain to the islands with 6 to 10 inches for Kauai, with maximum totals of 14 inches possible. For the Big Island, 4 to 8 inches of rain is expected with isolated totals of 12 inches, due to the terrain influence with the southeast flow. Across the remaining islands, rainfall of 2 to 4 inches of rain is expected, with Maui having isolated maximum 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 Sunday evening: Hurricane Lowell located southwest of the islands continues to move north slowly this afternoon. As it approaches the island chain wind speeds will begin to increase. A Tropical Storm Warning and a Hurricane Watch is in effect for waters around Kauai County through Tuesday afternoon. A Small Craft Advisory has been expanded due to a combination of winds and seas through Monday night. Winds are expected to increasingly veer to the southeast to south as Lowell continues to approach and bring the strong winds to the western end of the state.

Hurricane conditions are expected in the western offshore waters tonight through Tuesday as the center of the storm is expected to track just west of Niihau. Any slight deviation in the track to the west or east in the next 24 hours will have significant differences in impact for the coastal waters around Kauai County. Post Tropical Storm Karina to the northeast of the islands will continue to weaken and dissipate by Monday.

The High Surf Advisory (HSA) has been upgraded to a High Surf Warning (HSW) for all south facing shores through Monday night. Surf will continue to trend in the HSA range through tonight before the south swell from Hurricane Lowell is expected to rise rapidly Monday, and peak Monday night bringing warning level surf to exposed shorelines. This swell may shift out of the southwest late Monday night. Due to the track of Lowell, a sharp gradient in swell is expected from west to east. Coinciding also with the peak monthly afternoon high tides,this could bring the potential for significant damage to coastal properties and infrastructure, including roadways to portions of Kauai and possibly Oahu. Swell energy is expected to drop off quickly on Tuesday.

A large, medium-period east swell from former Tropical Storm Karina will also continue to produce HSA level surf along east facing shores through Monday night. Surf along north facing shores will remain flat except areas exposed to the storm swells. A small medium period northwest swell is expected on Tuesday and will fade through Thursday. By the end of the week, surf along east facing shores could be bolstered by some medium-period swell generated by Hurricane Marie in the East Pacific. Otherwise, expect choppy conditions from easterly trade wind swell through the week.

 

>>> Highest Temperature Sunday, September 6, 2026 – 109 degrees Death Valley, CA


>>> Lowest Temperature Sunday, September 6, 2026 – 27 degrees at Austin, NV

 

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 695 miles southwest of San Diego, California

MARIE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TO PRODUCE DANGEROUS BEACH CONDITIONS ALONG THE COAST OF BAJA CALIFORNIA AND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FOR ANOTHER COUPLE DAYS

According to the NHC advisory number 24…

Marie is moving toward the northwest near 6 mph. A slight turn toward the west-northwest is forecast later tonight. Marie is then expected to resume a northwestward heading at a faster forward speed by Tuesday. Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 70 mph with higher gusts. Steady weakening is expected to continue for the next several days, and Marie is forecast to become a post-tropical remnant low Tuesday night or early Wednesday. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 160 miles from the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 983 mb (29.03 inches).

 

Central North Pacific

Post Tropical Cyclone 11E (Karina)…is located about 620 miles east-northeast of Hilo, Hawaii – Last Advisory

KARINA IS NOW A POST-TROPICAL CYCLONE…STILL PRODUCING GALE-FORCE WINDS

According to the NHC advisory number 43…

The post-tropical cyclone is moving toward the west-northwest near 6 mph. A westward to west-northwestward motion is expected over the next day or two, along with an increase in forward speed. Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 45 mph with higher gusts. Continued weakening is expected, and the system is forecast to dissipate in a day or so. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 160 miles from the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 998 mb (29.47 inches).

 

Tropical Cyclone 12E (Lowell)…is located about 485 miles south-southwest of Lihue, Hawaii

LOWELL MOVING NORTH-NORTHEASTWARD WITH LITTLE CHANGE IN STRENGTH

According to the NHC advisory number 44A…

Lowell is moving toward the north near 9 mph. A northward to north-northeastward motion at a faster forward speed is forecasted through Tuesday. On the forecast track, the center of Lowell will move across portions of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, just west of the main Hawaiian Islands, on Monday night. Lowell is then forecast to turn toward the northwest and slow down by early Wednesday after passing the Hawaiian Islands. Maximum sustained winds remain near 120 mph with higher gusts. Lowell is a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Weakening is forecast to begin later tonight into tomorrow. However, Lowell is forecast to remain a hurricane as it passes near the Hawaiian Islands. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 175 miles. The estimated minimum central pressure is 948 mb (28.00 inches).

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND

WIND: Hurricane conditions are possible and tropical storm conditions are expected in Kauai County beginning Monday afternoon or 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, and wind gusts to hurricane force are possible. Hurricane conditions are expected in the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument between Nihoa and French Frigate Shoals Monday night, with tropical storm conditions beginning Monday afternoon.

RAINFALL: Hurricane Lowell is expected to produce additional rainfall totals of 6 to 10 inches for Kauai, with maximum totals of 14 inches possible. For the Big Island, 4 to 8 inches of rain is expected with isolated totals of 12 inches possible. For Maui, 2 to 4 inches of rain is expected, with isolated maximum totals of 8 inches possible. Across the remaining islands, rainfall of 2 to 4 inches is 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…1-3 ft
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 Monday afternoon through Monday night. 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 232 NM east of Kadena AB

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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:  Drought Intensifies Across Puerto Rico

The month of May typically marks the onset of the wet season in Puerto Rico. But in 2026, rain had largely failed to materialize as of late August, and much of the U.S. territory found itself in the throes of drought. The dry conditions have contributed to water shortages and rationing in some areas, leading Puerto Rico’s governor to declare a state of emergency in late July and the U.S. government to issue a drought disaster declaration for more than two dozen cities and towns in late August.

This map depicts the extent and severity of drought in Puerto Rico on August 25, 2026. It was produced by the U.S. Drought Monitor, a partnership between the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and NASA. NASA has contributed Earth observations and expertise to the project for many years, and in 2026, the partnership was strengthened when two agency scientists joined the small team that authors the weekly drought assessments.

Effects of the hot and dry conditions appeared in a variety of satellite data products and ground-based observations that the U.S. Drought Monitor considers when creating its weekly assessments, said David Mocko, a senior research scientist in the Hydrological Sciences Laboratory at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. For recent updates to Puerto Rico’s drought maps, satellite estimates of soil moisture, as well as weather, streamflow, and well observations, were particularly important factors, he said. Mocko authored the U.S. Drought Monitor update for August 18, 2026. He and Jonathan Case of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center are the first from the agency to produce the weekly maps.

Read More: NASA Earth Observatory