Hawaii on high alert as Hurricane Lowell takes drastic turn toward islands

Hurricane Lowell has strengthened into a Category 4 storm as it continues to barrel across the Pacific Ocean.The storm is likely to make a sharp turn north on Sunday, which could lead to damaging winds, dangerous surf and flooding on the western Hawaiian Islands.Forecast models show that Lowell will make a turn, but there are different projections for how close it will get to the islands, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.The latest forecasts show Lowell shifted slightly to the west and keeps the storm’s center offshore, west of Kauai.If things continues this way, Kauai and the rest of the Hawaiian islands would avoid the worst potential impacts.The latest forecast data now includes regular observations from aircraft reconnaissance and drones.The storm will likely get closest to the islands on Monday.The National Hurricane Center said watches will most likely be announced for part of Hawaii on Saturday.According to the current forecast, Lowell is expected to produce 3 to 6 inches of rain on Kauai and the Big Island, with isolated totals surpassing 10 inches.

Maui could get 2 to 4 inches of rain, with totals reaching up to 8 inches.All of the rain could lead to flash flooding and mudslides, particularly in mountainous areas.Lowell is the eighth hurricane there’s knowledge of to have reached a Category 5 storm in the central Pacific, and first since Hurricane Walaka in 2018.The storm went from a 70 mph tropical storm to a 160 mph Category 5 hurricane in 36 hours, which is one of the quickest periods of intensification recorded, before being downgraded.It could reach Category 5 status again.Meantime, Hurricane Karina weakened to a storm with winds of 90 mph Friday morning, and will likely fall below hurricane strength on Saturday.Hurricane Marie got slightly stronger Friday morning with winds reaching speeds of up to 100 mph, well off shore of Baja California, but it’s expected to get weaker Saturday.Marie is expected to continue to move away from land,...