Tropical Storm Norbert Forms as the Pacific's Busy Season Continues

There is a new player in the Eastern Pacific. Tropical Storm Norbert formed on Thursday in the open waters off the coast of Mexico, becoming the 16th named storm in this basin this year. What is next for Norbert? Read on for all of the details.

Latest on Tropical Storm Norbert

Tropical Storm Norbert is the latest feature to come to life in the Eastern Pacific, a part of the world's oceans that has been teeming with activity over the last few months. This basin has already generated 3 major hurricanes of Category 3 strength or higher. Forecasters with the National Hurricane Center (NHC) are predicting that Norbert could intensify into a hurricane early this weekend.

A strengthening El Niño has fueled the surge of activity in the Eastern Pacific over the last few months, while the Atlantic remains uncharacteristically quiet despite Friday marking the historical peak of the season. This follows the typical trends of reduced tropical weather in the Atlantic and increased storms in the Eastern and Central Pacific basins when a powerful El Niño is in the driver's seat.

The latest forecast models show Norbert tracking to the east and toward Hawaii. However, there is still plenty of time for this track to change before it would potentially approach the islands.

Hawaii Recovering From String of Tropical Weather Impacts

Hawaii has already experienced the impacts of multiple tropical weather features this year. This is a rarity for the island chain that is usually shielded from tropical storms and hurricanes.

The Hawaiian island of Kauai is currently cleaning up after Hurricane Lowell made a direct strike on this part of the state earlier in the week as a Category 2 storm. The popular tourist destination of Poipu on the southern side of the island was hit particularly hard by Lowell's wrath. One home was lifted off of its foundation and split in half by the power of the winds.

The Sheraton hotel in Poipu also sustained severe damage. Once a tranquil place for fun in the sun, the hotel's pool is now filled with sand and debris.

The National Weather Service (NWS) reported a preliminary rainfall total of up to 21 inches. At least one fatality has been blamed on the hurricane. Officials said that a 74-year-old man likely died by storm surge.

At the peak of the storm, about 90% of the island was without power. While power is slowly starting to return, local officials are telling visitors to reach out to their hotel before traveling to the island.

In addition to Norbert, two other areas of concern have popped up in the Pacific. One of these zones has been assigned a high chance of development over the next week by the NHC. We will continue to monitor what is happening with Norbert and elsewhere in the Pacific in the coming days.

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