Norbert Weakens as Hawaii's Threat Fades, But the Pacific Isn't Done Yet

Tropical Depression 15-E is forecast to evolve into Tropical Storm Odalys at any moment as the Pacific continues to churn out a high volume of named features. Here is a look at the latest activity in this corner of the world's oceans.

Tropical Storm Odalys on the Horizon?

Is the next named tropical event on the horizon in the Pacific? Forecasters with the National Hurricane Center (NHC) have been closely monitoring Tropical Depression 15-E. Formerly Invest 97E, this feature evolved into a tropical depression on Sunday as it tracks to the west at a speed of about 9 mph.

The NHC had previously signaled that Tropical Depression 15-E would become a tropical storm on Monday. However, it held on with winds just below this threshold throughout the day.

What is likely to become Odalys will eventually track into a zone of hostile conditions as it moves to the west. A fresh infusion of dry air will hopefully push into the center of the storm and put a lid on further development as it inches closer to Hawaii. It is unlikely that Odalys will ever gain the traction needed to become a threat to any landmasses.

Latest on Tropical Storm Norbert

Just as Odalys is coming into focus, Tropical Storm Norbert is weakening. Norbert's demise is good news for the state of Hawaii. The island chain was hit hard by Hurricane Lowell last week as Norbert was bearing down. The latest forecast models indicate that Norbert will fall apart by the time that it approaches Hawaii.

As of the last NHC update, Norbert was speeding along to the west at a fast clip of 15 mph, packing winds of 40 mph. While Norbert was still packing thunderstorm activity, dry air wrapping around the center of the system was putting a lid on further intensification. The forecast is calling for stiff upper-level winds to increase, weakening Norbert even further.

Norbert is expected to devolve into a post-tropical remnant low by Wednesday as it loses its formal tropical characteristics. Although Hawaii will dodge the worst impacts of this tropical weather maker, the south side of the chain should prepare for larger ocean swells this week as the storm loses its punch. Beachgoers will want to keep an eye out for advisories.

It has been an exceptionally busy season in the Pacific thanks to the impacts of a strong El Niño. With over two months to go in the season, the basin is already needing to look at the "O" names. 

For context, a typical hurricane season in the East Pacific pumps out about 15 named storms. Of these storms, eight go on to become hurricanes, with four of those reaching Category 3 or higher to be classified as major hurricanes.

These averages tend to tick up in El Niño years. Since 1990, this climate phase has produced an average of 17 named storms with nine hurricanes and five major hurricanes.

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