Lowell was tracking west across the Pacific late Aug. 28 with forecasts calling for gradual strengthening into a hurricane by early next week; uncertainty increases after five days because of possible interaction with Hurricane Karina.
Lowell was centered roughly 1,430–1,520 miles east-southeast of Hilo on Aug. 28 with sustained winds near 45 mph and tropical-storm-force winds extending about 70 miles.
Forecasters expected gradual strengthening through the weekend, with Lowell likely to become a hurricane by Sunday night or Monday and possibly reach Category 2 strength (110 mph) by midweek if it stays separated from Karina.
No coastal watches or warnings were in effect at the time of the reports and the storm posed no immediate hazards to land, but forecast uncertainty grows after five days due to potential interaction with Tropical Storm/Hurricane Karina.
As of late Aug. 28, Tropical Storm Lowell was moving west across the East Pacific and was expected to enter the Central Pacific early next week. Multiple updates through the day show the storm holding steady with gradual strengthening anticipated through the weekend.
Lowell turning westward into the Central Pacific and intensifying. One forecast track had Lowell reaching Category 2 strength (110 mph) by midweek while located hundreds of miles southeast of Hilo.
Forecasters cited two main factors limiting immediate strengthening: moderate vertical wind shear displacing thunderstorms to the west of Lowell's center, and dry air in the surrounding environment. Conditions were expected to become more favorable beginning Sunday night into Monday as shear decreased, allowing organization and more rapid strengthening.
Interaction with Karina and uncertainty
A separate, strengthening storm farther east in the Pacific — Tropical Storm Karina — was a major source of forecast uncertainty. Karina was strengthening off the coast of Mexico and projected to peak as a strong Category 3 hurricane. The forecast guidance noted that the later intensity and track for Lowell would depend on how close the two cyclones remain.
At the time of the updates on Aug. 28, no coastal watches or warnings were in effect and there were no immediate hazards to land. Officials emphasized that forecast uncertainty increases considerably after about five days, so longer-range guidance about impacts to Hawaii would change as the storms evolve.
Tropical Storm Lowell is expected to strengthen into a hurricane as it moves westward toward the Central Pacific, with forecasters projecting the storm will pass south of the Hawaiian Islands later this week.
Major Hurricane Lowell continues to churn through the Central Pacific south of the Hawaiian Islands as a powerful Category 4 storm, keeping island emergency officials and forecasters on alert for potential impacts early next week.
Lowell intensified into a hurricane early today southeast of Hawaii and is forecast to rapidly strengthen into a major Category 3 storm by Wednesday night as it tracks south of the island chain, weather officials said.
The latest forecast track has Lowell passing south of the Big Island late Wednesday into Thursday. Trade winds are expected to become strong and gusty Thursday into Friday as Lowell passes south of the state. Forecast still remains very uncertain for Labor Day weekend, with the potential for Lowell and Karina within th
Tropical Storm Lowell is rapidly gaining strength in the Central Pacific and is forecast to intensify into a major Category 3 hurricane as it tracks toward the Hawaiian Islands this week, weather officials said today.
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