Pacific Storm Threats
Powerful Pacific Storms Threaten Mexico and Hawaii Amid Historic El Niño Conditions
Anonymous
The Pacific hurricane season is unusually active, with El Niño contributing to warmer-than-normal waters and above-average storm activity. Hurricane Polo, fluctuating between Category 4 and 5, has drenched Mexico’s Pacific coast and is expected to turn toward Baja California; Tropical Storm Nolo threatens Hawaii’s Big Island with 10 to 15 inches of rain and gusts up to 50 mph, with potentially catastrophic flooding and tropical-storm conditions expected to begin Friday evening. In the Atlantic, forecasters are monitoring two areas for possible tropical development, but neither is currently expected to affect the United States. A separate non-tropical or hybrid low could bring strong winds, heavy rain and coastal flooding to parts of New England and the northern Mid-Atlantic this weekend.
Key Points
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Three Pacific hurricanes have reached Category 5 strength this year, tying a record set in 2002.
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University of Miami hurricane expert Brian McNoldy said the current El Niño could become the strongest on record, peak this winter and persist into 2027.
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El Niño weakens or can reverse the Pacific’s usual east-to-west low-level winds, shifting the jet stream; forecasters also said El Niño conditions tend to suppress Atlantic hurricane activity, which has been virtually silent this year.
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One Atlantic area being monitored is a low tied to a tropical wave southeast of the Cabo Verde Islands; regardless of development, it could bring gusty winds and heavy rain to the islands by the end of the week.
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