Tropical Storm Lowell is forecast to intensify into a major hurricane as it moves toward the Hawaiian Islands.
Tropical Storm Lowell is currently moving westward in the central Pacific with maximum sustained winds of 60 to 65 mph. The storm is located approximately 785 to 855 miles southeast of Hilo and is expected to rapidly intensify over the next 48 hours. Weather officials forecast that Lowell will reach major hurricane status by Wednesday, with maximum sustained winds reaching 120 mph. While Lowell is expected to pass approximately 300 miles south of the Big Island by late Wednesday or Thursday, direct land impacts remain uncertain. The storm is forecast to bring strong, gusty tradewinds and overlapping ocean swells to Hawaii shores by midweek, creating dangerous surf and life-threatening rip currents. In the eastern Pacific, Hurricane Karina remains a powerful Category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds of 140 to 145 mph. Karina is moving westward at 9 mph and is located roughly 1,000 miles west-southwest of the Baja California peninsula. While Karina is not currently threatening land, it is expected to begin a gradual weakening trend on Tuesday as it tracks west-northwestward.
Sources
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Tropical Storm Lowell strengthens slightly, Karina continues westward on track toward Hawaii
Hawaii News Now
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Tropical Storm Lowell forecast to strengthen into major hurricane
Honolulu Star-Advertiser
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Karina strengthens into a Category 4 hurricane in the Pacific far from land, forecasters say
NBC News