Category 5 Lowell Menaces Hawaii as Marie Raises Southern California Storm Risk
Updated
Updated · USA TODAY · Sep 2
Category 5 Lowell Menaces Hawaii as Marie Raises Southern California Storm Risk
3 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · Sep 2
Summary
160 mph Hurricane Lowell strengthened to Category 5 south of Hawaii, with the National Hurricane Center warning its swells could bring life-threatening surf and rip currents to the islands starting Wednesday.
Forecasts still keep Lowell west of Hawaii, but the storm is expected to turn north over the weekend and one outlier model sends it toward the islands, prompting officials to urge close monitoring.
145 mph Hurricane Karina is also tracking in the Pacific but is not expected to significantly harm Hawaii, though it could weaken the islands' strong trade winds later this weekend.
Tropical Storm Marie is forecast to stay offshore and dissipate near a point 775 miles southwest of San Diego on Sunday, yet forecasters say Southern California could still see humid air, heavy surf and possible showers through Monday.
The Pacific has already logged 15 tropical storms and hurricanes in 2026, a sharp contrast with the Atlantic, which had no active tropical cyclones on Sept. 2 despite the season nearing its usual Sept. 10 peak.