Three hurricanes form simultaneously in the Pacific, a first since 2015

Three major hurricanes are crossing the Pacific at the same time, an uncommon combination that scientists attribute to unusually warm waters linked to a historically intense El Niño.

NASA forecasts that Lowell and Karina could reach Category 3 or 4, while Marie could approach Category 3. The last time three hurricanes formed simultaneously in the eastern or central Pacific was in 2015, when Kilo, Ignacio and Jimena moved across the ocean during another El Niño year.

Lowell briefly reached Category 5, the highest level on the Saffir-Simpson scale, earlier this week. It has since weakened to Category 3, with winds of 200 kilometers per hour, but authorities warned that it could strengthen again. The hurricane is expected to turn north over the weekend toward Hawaii.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center said parts of Hawaii, particularly Kauai County, could face coastal flooding, strong winds and heavy rain from early next week, regardless of Lowell's exact path and intensity. Marie is moving toward the Los Angeles area, where it is expected to produce waves of about 2.4 meters and dangerous currents, especially for swimmers and surfers at south-facing beaches including Malibu, Long Beach and Point Mugu.

The hurricane center is also monitoring Karina. It is expected to weaken soon, but another developing system behind it, near Mexico, could add to the North Pacific's already considerable cyclonic activity this season, said Robbie Berg, the center's coordinating warning meteorologist in Miami.

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Regardless of the hurricane's exact path and intensity, some areas of Hawaii, particularly Kauai County, could experience coastal flooding, strong winds and heavy rain early next week.