Pacific Ocean tropical cyclone activity

The Pacific Ocean has experienced an unusually intense period of tropical cyclone activity, driven by an El Niño climate pattern and exceptionally high ocean temperatures.

In early September, three simultaneous hurricanes—Lowell, Karina, and Marie—were active in the Pacific. Hurricane Lowell reached Category 5 status near Hawaii, while Marie intensified near the coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico. Meteorologists noted that the current El Niño had a 69 percent chance of being “historically intense,” potentially increasing the frequency and severity of global storms.

By late September, satellite imagery captured four major simultaneous systems: Hurricane Polo, Hurricane Nolo, Tropical Storm Odalys, and Typhoon Surigae. Hurricane Polo reached Category 5 status before making landfall in Baja California Sur as a Category 2 hurricane, causing risks of flooding and landslides in Mexico. Hurricane Nolo passed near Hawaii, while Typhoon Surigae moved toward Japan and Okinawa. Accumulated cyclone energy in the Northeast Pacific has reached double the historical average for this period.

Recent observations confirm continued extreme activity. Hurricane Polo underwent explosive intensification to Category 5 strength due to warm ocean temperatures, making landfall in Baja California Sur and later near Guaymas, Mexico. While some social media reports suggested a “Category 6” due to extreme wind speeds, officials noted the Saffir-Simpson scale remains limited to five categories.

Additional systems are currently active, including Hurricane Rachel, which has strengthened south of Baja California Sur with winds of 165 km/h, and Tropical Storm Nolo, which is approaching Hawaii. Furthermore, the National Hurricane Center is monitoring a new area of low pressure south of Mexico with a 70 percent chance of developing into a tropical depression within the week.