Three Pacific storms, Hurricane Lowell, Tropical Storm Karina, and Hurricane Marie, are fueling dangerous surf and rip currents for Hawaii and Southern California, though forecasters expect all to remain offshore and avoid direct landfall.
Hurricane Lowell, the most powerful of the trio, reached Category 4 strength with sustained winds of 145 mph as of Saturday afternoon, sitting more than 600 miles south-southwest of Honolulu. Forecasts called for Lowell to turn north over the next day, staying west of the main Hawaiian Islands but bringing significant rain, gusty winds, and high surf to the state. Kauai County was identified as most at risk, with strong winds and the highest rainfall totals expected late Monday into Tuesday morning. The Big Island and Maui could see several inches of rain, with isolated totals up to 10 inches in Hawaii’s higher elevations.
Officials placed Hawaii’s south- and southeast-facing shores under a High Surf Advisory, warning of waves up to 12 feet. The state’s east-facing shores were also under advisory through Sunday, as swells from Karina, still more than 750 miles from the Big Island, contributed to rough surf. Though Karina’s winds topped out at 65 mph, the storm was expected to dissipate by Sunday night.
Hurricane Marie, meanwhile, hovered roughly 700 miles from the southern tip of Baja California but created large swells that reached the Southern California coastline. As Labor Day weekend began, authorities warned of a “high risk” of dangerous and potentially life-threatening rip currents along the coast, a situation expected to persist through the holiday. Swells from Marie were also forecast to impact parts of southwest Mexico and the Baja California Peninsula.
While none of the storms were projected to make landfall, their far-reaching effects underscored how active the Pacific hurricane season has become. El Nino conditions have kept tropical activity high, with the resulting storm-created swells threatening coastal safety far from each storm’s center. The ABC News report emphasized the risk of flash flooding and mudslides in Hawaii, as well as rip currents and rough surf in California.
Forecast models from the New York Post showed Lowell strengthening as it angled toward Hawaii, with a likely closest approach on Monday. Although the storm’s center was projected to pass just west of Kauai, state and local officials warned that even a near miss could bring damaging winds, heavy rain, flash flooding, and mudslides. Governor Josh Green responded by signing an emergency proclamation to speed up the movement of people and resources, stating:
“This proclamation gives our agencies and counties the flexibility to move people, equipment and resources quickly so we can protect communities across every island.”
Rainfall projections matched those reported by ABC News, with 3 to 6 inches expected on Kauai and the Big Island, and isolated totals above 10 inches in some areas. Maui was forecast to receive 2 to 4 inches, with localized totals up to 8 inches. The National Hurricane Center indicated that watches for Hawaii would likely be announced on Saturday.
Hurricane Marie, though not a direct threat to land, played a role in bringing rough surf and dangerous swimming conditions to Southern California. Breitbart reported that high-altitude winds could pull tropical moisture from Marie into Southern California, southern Nevada, and the western Four Corners, potentially bringing rare but generally beneficial rain showers to the region. While flooding was not expected, officials cautioned swimmers and surfers about the risk of rip currents, especially with holiday crowds at the beach.
The pattern of multiple hurricanes spinning in the Pacific was attributed to the ongoing El Nino, which promotes more frequent and intense tropical systems in the region. Meghan Wright, a public information officer for Kauai County, told the New York Post that “Kauai is currently considered the Hawaiian island most at risk, with nearby Niʻihau also being closely watched as the projected track shifts.”
Despite the issuance of High Surf Advisories and emergency proclamations, there were notable gaps in official communication. ABC News did not identify which agency issued the surf advisories for Hawaii, nor did reports specify the time zone for the publication time or clarify the exact dates for relative terms like “Saturday afternoon.” Forecasting agencies and meteorological officials were not directly quoted, leaving local governments, like Kauai’s, to serve as the public face for preparation and response.
As Labor Day weekend drew crowds to the beaches, the combination of high surf, rip currents, and looming rainstorms served as a reminder that nature doesn’t follow the political calendar. Responsible leadership means preparing for the worst, not just hoping for the best.
