Karina strengthens into a Category 4 hurricane as the Pacific tropical traffic jam intensifies
The National Hurricane Center said that Hurricane Karina reached 145 mph, officially designating it as a Category 4 hurricane.
Hawaii monitoring complicated future for Karina and Lowell as tropical trouble churns in the Pacific
Karina strengthened into a Category 4 storm early Monday morning, as Tropical Storm Lowell and Invest 95E churn in the warm waters of the Pacific, which are fueling their growth. FOX Weather Meteorologist Britta Merwin breaks down all the tropical activity, including potential future impacts to Hawaii:
THE TAKEAWAY
- Karina became a major hurricane on Sunday night.
- Karina will not have any direct impacts on land.
- Karina will begin a gradual weakening trend through the middle and latter part of the week.
Hurricane Karina formed in the Pacific on Sunday and strengthened into a major Category 4 storm early Monday morning.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) said that Hurricane Karina reached 145 mph, officially designating it as a Category 4 hurricane.
BREWING SUPER EL NIÑO EXPECTED TO BE STRONGEST ANYONE ALIVE ON THE PLANET HAS EVER EXPERIENCED
(FOX Weather)
Once a tropical storm’s winds reach 74 mph, it is called a hurricane and maintains the same name it had when it was a tropical storm.
Karina was declared a tropical storm last Thursday, forming just two days after Tropical Storm Julio, which quickly dissipated.
Hurricane Karina is moving west at 9 mph and is currently being monitored by the NHC for further development.
The NHC said swells generated by Karina will begin to affect portions of the coast of southwest Mexico and the Baja California Peninsula over the next couple of days. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
Karina will begin a gradual weakening trend through the middle and latter part of the week.
(FOX Weather)
Karina is just the latest hurricane to form in the middle of a busy season in the Pacific.
El Niño continues to strengthen, warming ocean waters in the Pacific and fueling tropical activity, while keeping the Atlantic season from thriving.
Tropical Storm Lowell, hot on Karina's heels, is expected to become a hurricane on Monday.
(FOX Weather)
The Eastern Pacific hurricane season runs from May 15 to Nov. 30.
This story is developing. Check back frequently for updates.