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Lowell regains Cat 5 — 160 mph / 922 mb; HI watches likely Saturday

Lane: climate13.3°N, 161.4°W · ~615 mi SSW of Lihue · ~600 mi SSW of Honolulu

At 500 PM HST (0300 UTC) Friday 4 September 2026, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center / National Hurricane Center Public Advisory 36 places the center of Hurricane Lowell near 13.3°N, 161.4°W — about 615 miles (990 km) south-southwest of Lihue and 600 miles (965 km) south-southwest of Honolulu — moving west near 7 mph, with maximum sustained winds near 160 mph (260 km/h) and minimum central pressure 922 mb based on a NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft. The advisory headline states Lowell regains Category 5 strength this afternoon; Lowell is a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale; some additional intensification is possible over the next day or so, followed by gradual weakening early next week. No coastal watches or warnings are in effect; interests in the Hawaiian Islands should monitor progress; watches could be required for portions of the westernmost Hawaiian Islands on Saturday. Discussion 36: intensity raised to 140 kt (Category 5 once again); aircraft measured maximum 700-mb flight-level winds of 153 kt in the northeastern eyewall; pressure fallen about 8 mb since 18 UTC; sharp turn north/north-northeast Sunday; close to westernmost main Hawaiian Islands Monday–Monday night; Key Message 1 — forecast near major hurricane strength on that approach; watches will likely be issued on Saturday.

Official CPHC/NHC center fix near 13.3°N, 161.4°W (~615 mi SSW of Lihue / ~600 mi SSW of Honolulu). Source map
Center
13.3°N, 161.4°W — about 615 mi (990 km) SSW of Lihue / about 600 mi (965 km) SSW of Honolulu
Intensity / pressure
160 mph (260 km/h) Category 5; minimum central pressure 922 mb (NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft); Discussion 36 intensity 140 kt; max 700-mb flight-level winds 153 kt NE eyewall
Motion
West near 7 mph; sharp turn north/north-northeast Sunday
Closest approach outlook
Close to the westernmost main Hawaiian Islands Monday–Monday night; forecast near major hurricane strength on that approach (Key Message 1)
Watches / warnings
No coastal watches or warnings in effect; watches could be required / will likely be issued Saturday for portions of the westernmost Hawaiian Islands
Intensification note
Some additional intensification possible over the next day or so, then gradual weakening early next week (advisory language)

Lowell regains Category 5 strength this afternoon.

CPHC/NHC Hurricane Lowell Advisory Number 36, Sep 4, 2026

Primary source preference: NWS CPHC Honolulu / NHC Miami — Hurricane Lowell Advisory Number 36 and Discussion Number 36, 500 PM HST Fri Sep 04 2026 (EP122026). Intensity is aircraft-backed. Doom Signals does not invent a Hawaii landfall forecast or coastal watches beyond those products.

Distinct from Marie (EP13) and Karina (EP11) same-basin storms. Distinct from Adv 35 Cat 4 note (superseded on the homepage Wire / board-slugs; Adv 35 page retained). Interests in Hawaii should continue to monitor official CPHC/NHC products for any watches or warnings.

  • Advisory: Hurricane Lowell Adv. 36 / Discussion 36, EP122026
  • Place: 13.3°N, 161.4°W · ~615 mi SSW of Lihue · ~600 mi SSW of Honolulu
  • Official coords: 13.3, −161.4

Why it matters

Material step-up from Sep 4 Adv 35 board item (Cat 4 / 150 mph / 926 mb) to Cat 5 / 160 mph / 922 mb. Hawaii watch language remains prospective (“could be required” / “will likely be issued Saturday”) — not a landfall call. Intensity and track beyond the product belong on the live NHC HUD.

Sources

Official data.

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