Hurricane Lowell is on a path forecasters fear will soon bend toward the western Hawaiian Islands, with a landfall or glancing blow possible somewhere in Hawaii near Labor Day, forecasters said.
Although the storm is currently moving to the west, seemingly away from Hawaii, Lowell is forecast to make a sharp right turn to the north over the weekend.
A forecast from the National Hurricane Center late the night of Sept. 3 Hawaiian time, early Sept. 4 ET, said Lowell is expected to be "at major hurricane strength when makes its closest approach to the Hawaiian Islands." Forecasters said it could move near or just west of the westernmost main islands late on Sept. 7 and into early Sept. 8.
A major hurricane has winds of at least 111 mph; Category 3,
4 and 5 storms are classified as major hurricanes.
"While it is still too soon to determine the exact track of the hurricane, Lowell could bring storm surge, wind, and rainfall impacts to portions of Hawaii early next week," the hurricane center said.
Where is Hurricane Lowell now?
As of 5 a.m. ET on Friday Sept. 4, or 11 p.m. Hawaii time, the center of Lowell was located about 555 miles south-southwest from Honolulu and was moving to the west at 9 mph. The storm had maximum sustained winds of 235 mph, making it a Category 3 storm.
The hurricane center track forecast moves Lowell slowly westward with a northward turn and increase in forward speed by Sunday, Sept. 6.
Doyle Rice and Dinah Voyles Pulver are national correspondents for USA TODAY, with a focus on weather and climate.
Track Lowell's path
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hurricane Lowell roars toward Hawaii as forecasters warn of big turn: Updates
