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3 hurricanes in the Pacific show the power of El Niño
NBC News • • nation
Key Points:
- Three hurricanes—Karina, Lowell, and Marie—are active in the Pacific Ocean, a level of activity consistent with this year's strong El Niño event, which is predicted to be the strongest on record.
- Hurricane Lowell, which reached Category 5 strength before weakening to Category 3, is expected to approach Hawaii this weekend, raising concerns as the islands continue to recover from recent flooding and storms.
- Karina is weakening east of Hawaii, while Marie is strengthening near Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula, potentially causing strong swells along Mexico’s southwestern coast and possibly Southern California.
- The current El Niño, characterized by unusually warm Pacific sea surface temperatures, is intensifying tropical cyclone activity in the Pacific while suppressing Atlantic storms, a pattern linked to climate change effects.
- Scientists warn that climate change may be amplifying El Niño events, with recent studies showing stronger occurrences since increased greenhouse gas emissions, prompting calls for urgent global action.
