Three hurricanes were churning in the Pacific Ocean at the same time: Karina, Lowell and Marie, according to the National Hurricane Center. None poses a direct threat to land.
It’s the first time since 2015 that three simultaneous hurricanes of any strength formed, when Kilo, Ignacio and Jimena all became major Category 4 hurricanes.
This year’s El Niño conditions have contributed to hurricane formation in the Pacific and are predicted to soon become the strongest on record.
El Niño affects hurricane severity in both the Atlantic and the Pacific, leading to fewer hurricanes in the Atlantic (particularly the Caribbean) and more in the Pacific due to increased rising air over the tropical Pacific and sinking air over the tropical Atlantic.
Weather changes fast. Get real-time alerts for your area on the new Yahoo Weather app.
Here’s the location, path and status of each of the hurricanes:
Hurricane Karina
Hurricane Karina is currently a Category 3 storm and continues to move west as a major hurricane.
According to the hurricane center’s latest advisory, as of 11 a.m. ET on Thursday:
Karina was located about 1,195 miles east of Hilo, Hawaii.
It had maximum sustained winds of 115 mph.
It was moving west at 12 mph.
“Gradual weakening is forecast during the next several days,” the NHC said. “However, Karina is expected to remain a hurricane for the next couple of days.”
There are currently no hazards affecting land.
Hurricane Lowell
Hurricane Lowell is a Category 4 and is expected to remain a major hurricane for the next several days. NHC forecasters advise people in the Hawaiian Islands to monitor the hurricane’s progress.
As of 11 a.m. ET on Thursday:
Lowell was located about 450 miles south-southwest of Hilo, Hawaii.
It had maximum sustained winds of 140 mph.
It was moving west at 10 mph.
“Some fluctuations in intensity are expected during the next few days,” according to the NHC. “However, Lowell is expected to remain a major hurricane for the next several days.”
Swells generated by Lowell are spreading north and are expected to affect parts of the Hawaiian Islands over the next several days. They’re likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip-current conditions.
Hurricane Marie
Hurricane Marie is currently a Category 1 storm and is forecast to strengthen over the next day or so.
As of 11 a.m. ET on Thursday:
Marie was located about 410 miles southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.
It had maximum sustained winds of 90 mph.
It was moving west-northwest at 10 mph.
“Some strengthening is forecast over the next day or so, followed by gradual weakening this weekend,” the NHC said.
Storm swells will affect parts of the southwest coast of Mexico and the Baja California peninsula over the next few days and are likely to spread north to Southern California over the weekend, causing life-threatening surf and rip-current conditions.
Read more from Yahoo: El Niño is being ‘supersized before our eyes,’ U.N. warns. What that means for the weather where you live this fall and winter.
