11am Sunday, Hurricane Lowell: Time for Kauai and Niihau to Finalize Preparations

                                 Blue is the tropical storm warning for Nihau and Kauai. Red is the hurricane warning for the (largely unpopulated) Hawaii Atolls. Note the track has been shifted a bit to the east again and it would not surprise me if it were shifted east again with the forecast issued this afternoon (Hawaii time). 

Wind gusts of 70+ mph are possible on Niihau. Wind gusts of 50-60 mph are possible on Kauai, especially at the higher elevations and near Barking Sands and the Na' Pali Coast, including the Canyon rim . 

I am very concerned about flash flooding and possible landslides. 

Please follow instructions from local authorities. 

From the National Hurricane Center:
KEY MESSAGES:

 
1. Lowell's center is forecast to pass just west of Kauai County 
late Monday into early Tuesday. A Tropical Storm Warning is in 
effect for Kauai County, including Kauai and Niihau, where tropical 
storm conditions are expected to begin Monday afternoon and 
continue through Tuesday morning. Wind gusts to hurricane force 
are possible atop mountains and on windward and leeward slopes.
 
2. Heavy rainfall associated with Lowell will begin to impact the 
Hawaiian Islands today and continue through early this week. Periods 
of heavy rain may produce significant flash flooding and mudslides, 
especially across Kauai County and portions of the Big Island.
 
3. Large swells from Lowell are expected to produce life-threatening
surf and rip current conditions across portions of the Hawaiian
Islands during the next several days. Surf along exposed portions
of Kauai County could produce coastal flooding and inundation of 
low-lying areas Monday through Monday night.