Three tropical storms identified in the Pacific amid historic El Nino

On Wednesday, September 2, 2026, the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported three significant weather systems in the Pacific Ocean: two category 4 hurricanes, Lowell and Karina, and a strengthening tropical storm, Marie. These systems are fueled by record-high water temperatures linked to the current El Nino event, which is expected to reach historic intensity this year. While both Lowell and Karina are currently moving at a distance from the Hawaiian islands, their trajectories remain uncertain, and there is a lingering possibility of increased wind and rainfall for the archipelago.

Hawaii continues to recover from Hurricane Lala, which struck in mid-August and caused significant flooding. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Marie, located near the Mexican coast, was projected to strengthen into a hurricane shortly after the report. Climatologist Julia Cole from the University of Michigan explained that the El Nino phenomenon creates ideal conditions for such sequences of storms by warming ocean waters. Scientists are currently monitoring the situation as these storms continue their development across the Pacific.