Two Category 4 hurricanes, Hurricane Lowell and Hurricane Karina, along with a strengthening tropical storm, move through the Pacific Ocean in what forecasters describe as a rare sequence of cyclones. The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) says both major storms are expected to pass at some distance from Hawaii.
The storms occur in waters warmed by a historically strong El Niño climate episode. Reports note the general forecast track guidance places Lowell farther west and Karina moving to the northeast, with Lowell and Karina anticipated to pass south and to the northeast of Hawaii, respectively. While the overall threat is described as relatively indirect, outlets highlight continuing uncertainty about the exact paths. Specifically, at least one report notes there is a possibility Lowell could pass closer to Hawaii’s westernmost islands.
Across the coverage, the shared focus is on the unusual “train” of cyclones fueled by elevated ocean temperatures tied to El Niño, and on NHC guidance indicating a non-direct approach to Hawaii, tempered by uncertainty in storm tracks.
