4:30 pm HST Update on Hurricane Lowell

Updated forecasts are here. 

4:30pm Update

Tornado watch in effect for the Island of Kauai. 

4pm Update

With one tornado having likely already occurred on Kauai, the radar just failed again. Hopefully, we'll get it back but it is not likely as the winds and rains have been increasing. 

So, our already limited tornado warning capability is about gone unless we get the radar back. 

3:15pm Update: 

Winds are gusting from the east to 45 mph at Lihue, which is on the side of Kauai away from the approaching hurricane (see map below).  At least two roads are already closed due to flooding. Heavy rains (yellow and orange below) are occurring. 

Noon Update:

Flash flood warnings (green polygons) are now in effect for about the northeast half of Kauai. The rain (multi-colors) has tapered off the light showers for the time being after heavier squalls earlier in the day.

Updated surge forecast:

Remember: there will be waves of up to 15' feet on top of the surge. 

11am Update:

The path has been moved very slightly to the east. The center will pass over or just west of Niihau this evening or overnight.

The brown is the radius of hurricane force winds of 75 mph or stronger. Amber is the area of 39 to 74 mph winds. 

National Hurricane Center says maximum sustained winds are 100 mph. The pressure has been rising the past couple of hours. 

I agree with these key messages. I believe significant damage will occur with this storm, especially on Niihau. 

I will post again later this evening.