Hurricane Lowell threatens Hawaiian Islands with life-threatening surf

Hurricane Lowell is expected to create life-threatening conditions even as it is forecast to pass just west of the major Hawaiian islands by Monday night.

Hurricane Lowell is expected to create life-threatening conditions even as it is forecast to pass just west of the major Hawaiian islands by Monday night.

It could remain a major hurricane — those with 111 mph or greater sustained winds — and is likely to create mudslides, as much as 10 inches of rain in Kauai, and life-threatening waves for parts of the island chain, the National Hurricane Center said.

The tropical cyclone reached Category 5, defined by sustained winds of 157 mph or greater, overnight Friday before losing some of its steam and settling into Category 4’s limits of sustained winds of 130-156 mph by Saturday.

Lowell appeared to be turning to the west-northwest Saturday, with the hurricane center saying this will likely trigger storm watch notices and other storm-related alerts for Kauai County and the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.

It was about 640 miles south-southwest of Honolulu, headed west-northwest at 7 mph, the hurricane center said, and was pushing out sustained winds of 145 mph.