Pacific sees three hurricanes at once in rare El Niño-linked event

Three hurricanes occupied the Pacific at the same time on Thursday, Sept. 3, in a rare display of storm activity that scientists linked partly to a particularly strong El Niño.

Tropical Storm Marie strengthened into a hurricane Wednesday night off Baja California, joining Category 4 hurricanes Karina and Lyle as they moved west across the Pacific. The U.S. National Hurricane Center placed Lyle about 710 kilometers south of Hilo, Hawaii, and said it was expected to remain powerful over the coming days.

Lyle’s large swell could create dangerous marine conditions for swimmers in parts of the Hawaiian Islands, including powerful waves and rip currents. The longer-term forecast for the storm’s path and intensity remained more uncertain than usual. Hawaii was still recovering from Hurricane Lala, which passed south of the Big Island the previous month and brought destructive winds and severe flash flooding.

Karina weakened slightly Wednesday night as it moved northwest, but the National Hurricane Center expected it to remain a hurricane for the next two days. Marie was about 600 kilometers southwest of the southern tip of Baja California, with strengthening forecast for Friday.

Warm ocean water gives tropical storms the energy they need to develop. El Niño also reduces vertical wind shear over the Pacific, meaning winds vary less in speed and direction with altitude. The World Meteorological Organization warned that El Niño was almost certain to persist and intensify into next year, potentially disrupting rainfall patterns, raising temperatures and increasing the risks of floods, droughts and extreme heat.

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The organization will continue its close cooperation with its United Nations partners and humanitarian actors to provide the climate data and analyses needed for disaster management and to protect sectors particularly sensitive to climate.