# Pacific tropical storms Karina, Lowell, and Marie

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/pacific-tropical-storms-karina-and-lowell
> Updated: 2026-08-30T14:10:02.000Z. Sources: 44. Developments: 2.

By September 1, three tropical cyclones were active in the Pacific. Hurricane Lowell, a major hurricane, was moving west-northwest and forecast to pass south of the Hawaiian Islands, bringing gusty winds and rainfall. Hurricane Karina was tracking westward and expected to move north of Hawaiʻi after passing east of the Big Island. Tropical Storm Marie, located near the southern tip of Baja California, was projected to become a hurricane with the potential to approach Hawaiʻi in approximately ten days. The National Weather Service advised residents to remain alert to changing forecasts despite models suggesting most storms would not directly strike populated islands.

By September 2, the situation evolved into a rare meteorological phenomenon involving a triplet of storms: two Category 4 hurricanes, Lowell and Karina, alongside tropical storm Marie. Experts attributed this occurrence to intense ocean warming driven by El Niño. Climatologist Julia Cole noted that El Niño provides the warm water necessary to fuel such storms, while Benjamin Kurtman of the University of Miami observed that surface water temperatures are near record levels. NOAA estimates a 69% chance that this El Niño event will be one of the strongest on record. While Lowell and Karina are expected to maintain significant distance from the coast of Cuba, their exact trajectories remain uncertain.

Following this intensification, Hurricane Lowell rapidly strengthened into a powerful Category 5 storm, with maximum sustained winds reaching approximately 160 mph. While current trajectories suggest the systems may pass at a distance from the Hawaiian Islands, forecasters noted significant uncertainty regarding Lowell’s path, as models indicate the storm may make a sharp turn toward the north later in the week. Additionally, swells generated by Lowell are expected to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions in parts of Hawaii.

## Claims

- Hurricane Karina reached Category 3 status with maximum sustained winds of 205 km/h (125 mph). (disputed by 15 sources)
- Hurricane Karina is a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of approximately 130 mph. (disputed by 5 sources)
- Tropical Storm Lowell was located approximately 785 miles southeast of Hilo with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph. (disputed by 2 sources)
- While no direct land impact is expected, the storm may cause dangerous surf and rip currents along the coasts of southwest Mexico and the Baja California Peninsula. (corroborated by 18 sources)
- The cyclone was located approximately 1,545 kilometers southwest of the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula. (corroborated by 16 sources)
- Hurricane Karina is moving west at approximately 9 mph (15 km/h). (corroborated by 15 sources)
- Meteorologists suggest the hurricane could undergo further intensification in the near future. (corroborated by 10 sources)
- Swells from Hurricane Karina are expected to affect the coasts of Mexico and southern California. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Karina is expected to move west-northwest and gradually weaken as it enters a drier, more stable air mass. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Tropical Storm Lowell is forecast to rapidly intensify into a major hurricane by Wednesday. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Swells from Tropical Storm Lowell are expected to affect the Hawaiian Islands starting midweek. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Wind gusts exceeding 50 mph are possible in parts of Hawaii on Thursday and Friday due to Lowell. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-30: Hurricane Karina intensifies to Category 4 in the Pacific

Hurricane Karina has intensified into a Category 4 storm in the Pacific. While it poses no direct threat to land, it is expected to cause dangerous surf and swells along the Mexican coast.

39 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hurricane-karina-reaches-category-3-status-in-the-pacific

### 2026-08-27: Tropical storms Karina and Lowell form in the Pacific

Tropical storms Karina and Lowell have formed in the Pacific; while they may become hurricanes, they remain far from Mexico. Los Cabos authorities are monitoring local convective weather instability.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tropical-storms-karina-and-lowell-form-in-the-pacific

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Cite as: Pacific tropical storms Karina, Lowell, and Marie. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/pacific-tropical-storms-karina-and-lowell