Karina Becomes Major Hurricane as Pacific Activity Ratchets Up

The Pacific basin continues to be a hotbed of tropical weather activity as a strengthening El Niño fuels the development of several disturbances, including the latest major hurricane. Here is a look at the latest happenings in the tropical Pacific, as well as whether the U.S. is expected to see any impacts.

Latest Update on Hurricane Karina and Tropical Storm Lowell

All eyes are on the Pacific after one hurricane formed over the weekend and another tropical storm is forecast to intensify. As of the last update from the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Category 3 Hurricane Karina was packing maximum sustained winds of 125 mph as it tracked to the west at a speed of 9 mph.

Karina became a Category 1 hurricane early Sunday before rapidly strengthening into a major Category 3 storm. Karina is forecast to remain in warm ocean waters, finding favorable conditions to grow in the coming days.

The NHC is also watching Tropical Storm Lowell as it moves to the west at 12 mph with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph. Lowell is predicted to become a hurricane by the end of the day Monday as it picks up speed and intensifies.  

The good news is neither of these systems is expected to bring direct impacts to any major land masses. However, the NHC warns that the swells produced by Karina will reach as far as the southwestern coast of Mexico and Baja California. The swells will be high enough to present dangerous surf conditions and rip currents.

Elsewhere in the Pacific

Karina and Lowell are not the only areas of interest in the Pacific. Two additional areas in the Pacific are being monitored by the NHC, with one of these disturbances likely to take on formal characteristics later this week.

The zone most likely to see additional development is currently spinning to the southwest of the coast of Mexico. This disturbance is not far from Karina's location. The latest forecast models suggest that this cluster of rain showers and storms will turn into a tropical depression in the near future. This system is moving to the west-northwest at a speed of 10 to 15 mph.

Lastly, a separate disturbance located south of Hawaii in the central portion of the Pacific has been assigned a medium chance of development over the next week by the NHC. While some gradual development is likely as the area of low pressure grows, this weather maker is not expected to impact Hawaii in any significant way.

Meanwhile, the Atlantic is also waking up from its slumber and starting to show signs of life. We will continue to monitor both of these basins, particularly as they translate to impacts to the U.S. coastline.

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