Hurricane Lowell Raises Rare Tornado Threat in Hawaii, With 42 Reported Since 1950
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Sep 7
Hurricane Lowell Raises Rare Tornado Threat in Hawaii, With 42 Reported Since 1950
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Sep 7
Summary
Forecasters warned Lowell could spawn brief tornadoes across Hawaii through Monday night, with the highest risk near Kauai and Niihau.
The threat stems from the hurricane passing west of Kauai, placing those islands in the storm’s right-front quadrant, where shifting low-level winds can trigger tornadoes in outer rain bands.
Heavy rain, flash flooding and mudslides remain the main hazards, while the National Weather Service said tornado risk is lower on the other islands and should drop quickly early Tuesday.
Hawaii has recorded just 42 tornadoes from 1950 to 2018, and many begin as waterspouts that move ashore; one of the state’s most damaging events caused at least $1.5 million in losses in 1971.