The Eastern Pacific is experiencing a highly active hurricane season, with an El Niño event strengthening and record-setting sea-surface temperatures fueling the storm activity. The latest development is the emergence of Potential Tropical Cyclone One-C, which is expected to strengthen into a tropical storm named Hernan by Friday. This system poses a significant threat to Hawaii, with heavy rainfall and potential life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in mountainous areas.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) predicts that Hernan will be a strong tropical storm as it moves over or near Hawaii, and there's a possibility of landfall as a hurricane. The historical data reveals that only two named storms have made landfall on the island of Hawaii at tropical storm strength, with varying wind speeds and impacts. The most recent tropical cyclone to directly impact the main Hawaiian Islands was Hurricane Hone in August 2024.
The Eastern Pacific's busy season is in progress, with seven named systems so far. The basin typically has several peaks in activity, and the current season is ahead of schedule. Two of the seven named storms have become hurricanes: Fausto and Genevieve. However, only one tropical system, Tropical Storm Boris, has made landfall in Mexico.
In the Northwestern Pacific Ocean, Tropical Depression 16W (Nangka) and another tropical depression, 13W, are moving over open waters while riding along a large ridge of high pressure. Both storms are expected to continue moving northeast and weaken into remnant lows. Meanwhile, the Atlantic basin has its third named tropical system, Tropical Storm Cristobal, which formed from a trough exiting the United States. It's not expected to maintain its tropical characteristics for long.
The article also mentions two tropical waves in the Atlantic, one labeled Invest 92L with a high chance of tropical development, and another disorganized wave emerging from Africa. These systems are being monitored for potential impacts on the Caribbean, but vertical wind shear and El Niño conditions may hinder their survival. Bob Henson and Jeff Masters contributed to the post, emphasizing the importance of monitoring these systems for potential benefits and risks.
In conclusion, the Eastern Pacific's active hurricane season, with Hernan as the latest threat, highlights the ongoing challenges and risks associated with tropical cyclones. The article provides valuable insights into the current and future weather patterns, offering a comprehensive overview of the situation.
