Hurricane Tracker Shows Rare Trio of Pacific Storms Fueled by El Niño
Hurricane tracker reports indicate a rare trio of Pacific hurricanes — Karina, Lowell and Marie — are simultaneously active, fueled by record-warm waters from a strong El Niño, while severe thunderstorms with damaging winds and hail struck parts of Michigan and North Dakota on Thursday.
Rare Pacific Hurricane Trio Forms
Tropical Storm Marie strengthened into a hurricane late Wednesday off Baja California, following behind major Category 4 Hurricanes Karina and Lowell. [3] Three tropical cyclones are definitely rare to see, according to Julia Cole, a climate scientist at the University of Michigan. [3] Lowell, located 450 miles south of Hilo, Hawaii, is expected to remain a major hurricane for several days. [3] A similar train of four tropical cyclones occurred in the Pacific during the intense 2015 El Niño. [3] Hurricane tracker updates confirm Marie was 380 miles southwest of the southern tip of Baja California as it trailed the other two systems. [3]
El Niño Driving Conditions for Storms
Scientists attribute the rare simultaneous storms to El Niño warming that reduces wind shear and provides abundant fuel from near-record sea surface temperatures. [3] El Niño warming sets the stage for these storms, which are fueled in large part by warm waters. [3] When the tropical Pacific is warmer than normal, an increase in strong storms occurs, Cole said. [3] Warm waters provide fuel for storms, and El Niño's effect on the atmosphere leaves little vertical wind shear over the Pacific, creating favourable conditions for hurricanes to intensify, said Benjamin Kirtman, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Miami. [3] The climate system has significantly warmed over the last 20 years or so, Kirtman added. [3] The sea surface temperature anomaly is already near record high, Kirtman said, noting it is juicy out there right now. [3]
Threats to Hawaii and Mexico from Lowell and Karina
Lowell, located 450 miles south of Hilo, Hawaii, is expected to remain a major hurricane for several days and is generating life-threatening surf and rip currents in the Hawaiian Islands. [3] Swells from Lowell are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions in portions of the Hawaiian Islands during the next several days, the National Hurricane Centre said. [3] Hawaii is still recovering from the impacts of Hurricane Lala, which brushed past the southern part of the Big Island last month, bringing destructive winds and severe flash floods. [3] Karina weakened slightly as it moved northwest but is likely to remain a hurricane for the next couple of days. [3] Marie was generating swells impacting portions of the coast of southwest Mexico and the Baja California Peninsula that will likely spread northward to southern California over the weekend. [3]
Severe Thunderstorms Strike Michigan
A severe thunderstorm with 60 mph winds and penny-size hail moved through Gratiot County, Michigan, threatening Alma, St. Louis, Breckenridge and Wheeler. [1] At 145 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Breckenridge, or 7 miles east of Alma, moving southeast at 35 mph. [1] Hazard included 60 mph wind gusts and penny size hail from radar indicated sources. [1] Impact includes expected damage to roofs, siding, and trees. [1] Locations impacted include Alma, St. Louis, Breckenridge, and Wheeler. [1]
Damaging Winds Hit North Dakota
A line of severe thunderstorms with 70 mph winds and quarter-size hail moved east at 50 mph across Grand Forks County, North Dakota, with automated sensors confirming the gusts. [2] At 1246 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from McCanna to Kempton to near Golden Lake, moving east at 50 mph. [2] Hazard included 70 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail from radar indicated sources, with automated wind sensors reporting wind gusts up to 70 mph. [2] Impact includes expected hail damage to vehicles, considerable tree damage, and wind damage likely to mobile homes, roofs, and outbuildings. [2] Locations impacted include Grand Forks AFB, Larimore, Northwood, and H. [2]
Broader Heat and Drought Impacts
Authorities have estimated that recent heat and drought caused production to plummet and expect wealth generated by the agricultural sector to decline by 8% over the course of the year in France. [4] The knock-on effects will cost the French economy an estimated 0.1 percentage points of growth in 2026. [4] The Ministry of Environment and the New Taipei City Government held a heat response drill, the first time a drill aimed to tackle the hybrid impacts of high temperatures. [5] Fifty units participated in the drill — 30 central government agencies, 16 city government agencies, three business entities and Far Eastern Memorial Hospital. [5] The drill simulated temperatures of 40°C or higher lasting over a three-day period in Taipei, New Taipei City and Taoyuan. [5] Although the Disaster Prevention and Protection Act has yet to include extreme heat as a natural disaster, its hazards have become evident in the heat waves that have swept the world this year. [5] Power supply stability and restoration was prioritized in the exercise. [5] Finding nearby cooling spots was also a key drill item, as prolonged time outdoors often leads to heat injuries. [5] The ministry’s Cool Map platform shows more than 11,000 cooling spots. [5] The 2°C change from last year’s drill would cause more significant discomfort and damage and place greater strain on healthcare capacity. [5]
What to watch next includes continued monitoring of Lowell remaining a major hurricane for several days with uncertain long-range track forecasts, Marie spreading swells northward, and further heat response preparations amid rising temperatures.
