Tropical Storm Karina strengthens into a hurricane in the Pacific Ocean, forecasters say. Reporting from multiple outlets notes that the system’s center is far out at sea and is not threatening land at present.
The National Hurricane Center classifies Karina as a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of about 80 mph (130 km/h). Several sources say it could intensify further and potentially become a major hurricane later this week, defined as Category 3 or higher. Karina is located roughly 820 miles southwest of the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula and is moving northwest around 15 mph.
While the storm track is expected to remain well offshore, outlets agree that it is likely to generate dangerous surf and rip current conditions in parts of southwest Mexico and the Baja California Peninsula. One outlet also highlights other Pacific activity, noting Tropical Storm Lowell is moving in the region but poses no threat to land.
