Hurricane Lowell was within 175 miles of Kauai Monday evening and moving quickly toward a pass just west of Niihau, forecasters said. On Monday, the storm was expected to lash the islands with heavy rain that could cause significant flash flooding and mudslides over the next few days.

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Rain bands were spreading over Kauai and Oahu on Monday. The storm’s core is expected to pass to the west of the islands late Monday or early today, sparing residents from a direct hit, but experts at the National Hurricane Center and emergency officials in the state have warned people to take its threats — including the rain and storm surge driven by powerful winds — seriously.

At 5 p.m. Monday, Lowell remained a Category 2 hurricane with 110 mph maximum sustained winds and higher gusts. It was centered 170 miles southwest of Lihue and 230 miles west-southwest of Honolulu, moving north-northeast at 18 mph, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center. Hurricane-force winds of 74 mph or more extend up to 70 miles from the center and tropical storm-force winds extend up to 175 miles.

Lihue Airport, which closed at 2:30 p.m. Monday, reported sustained winds of 38 mph and a gust of 49 mph, CPHC said.

Kauai County remains under a hurricane warning; Oahu is under a tropical storm warning; and the entire state is under a flood watch.

The National Weather Service also issued a tornado watch until 4 a.m. this morning for Niihau and Kauai and surrounding waters. “A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes in and close to the watch area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings,” NWS said.

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Parts of Hawaii Island may see rainfall amounts from 4 to 8 inches with locally higher amounts up to 12 inches. Residents in flood-prone areas are advised to take precautions, especially those in areas of the Ka‘u district that were severely impacted by Hurricane Lala.

All state and county government offices and all schools on Big Island are expected to be open Tuesday.

NWS has issued a high surf warning for Big Island for all south and west facing shores and a high surf advisory for east facing shores. A flood watch for all of the island remains in effect through today.

The following County Park &Recreation facilities remain closed: Honaunau Boat Ramp, Ho‘okena Beach Park, Kahalu‘u Beach Park, La‘aloa Beach Park, Old A’s Strip, Kohanaiki Beach Park and Mahukona Wharf.

Be advised that other beach parks may close without notice.

Lowell is moving fast but will still be a Category 2 storm with 100 mph sustained winds and higher gusts early today as it moves just west of Niihau and Kauai. CPHC forecasts it will be a strong tropical storm with 70 mph sustained winds by this afternoon, well north of Niihau as it begins to move northwest away from the state.

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The Honolulu Star-Advertiser and New York Times contributed to this story.