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Rare trio of Pacific hurricanes fueled by historic El Niño

From CNA · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Newswire Named sources Ongoing story
  • Three tropical cyclones, Hurricanes Karina, Lowell and Marie, were active in the Pacific at the same time, a rare pattern linked to a strong El Niño.
  • The U.S. National Hurricane Center warned that Lowell could produce life-threatening surf and rip currents in Hawaii, which is still recovering from Hurricane Lala.
  • Scientists said unusually warm ocean temperatures and weak vertical wind shear were helping the storms intensify.

Three hurricanes are churning across the Pacific in an unusually tight formation, with one threatening Hawaii and another sending swells toward Mexico and southern California.

Tropical Storm Marie strengthened into a hurricane late Wednesday off Baja California, following Hurricanes Karina and Lowell. Both Karina and Lowell had reached Category 4 strength as they moved west across the Pacific.

Three tropical cyclones are definitely rare to see

· Julia ColeThe University of Michigan climate scientist described the simultaneous Pacific activity.

“Three tropical cyclones are definitely rare to see,” climate scientist Julia Cole of the University of Michigan told AFP. She said El Niño warming creates favorable conditions because warm waters fuel storms, while warmer-than-normal tropical Pacific waters bring more powerful systems.

Lowell was about 450 miles, or 725 kilometers, south of Hilo, Hawaii. The National Hurricane Center said it was expected to remain a major hurricane for several days, while warning that its swells could create life-threatening surf and rip-current conditions in parts of the Hawaiian Islands. The agency also said its longer-range forecasts were more uncertain than usual.

The climate system has significantly warmed over the last 20 years or so

· Benjamin KirtmanThe University of Miami atmospheric scientist discussed warming conditions behind the storms.

Hawaii is still recovering from Hurricane Lala, which passed near the southern Big Island last month and brought destructive winds and severe flash floods. Karina weakened slightly while moving northwest but was expected to remain a hurricane for the next several days. Marie, about 380 miles southwest of Baja California’s southern tip, was producing swells along parts of southwest Mexico and the Baja California Peninsula that could reach southern California over the weekend.

Atmospheric scientist Benjamin Kirtman of the University of Miami said warm waters were combining with El Niño’s effect on the atmosphere, which reduces vertical wind shear over the Pacific. “The climate system has significantly warmed over the last 20 years or so,” he said. Sea-surface temperatures were already near record highs. “There’s no other way to put it, it is juicy out there right now.” A similar sequence of four tropical cyclones occurred in 2015, another strong El Niño year.

There’s no other way to put it, it is juicy out there right now

· Benjamin KirtmanKirtman characterized the unusually warm ocean temperatures.
About this summary

Originally published by CNA in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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