Tropical Storms Karina and Lowell Expected to Strengthen into Hurricanes

Two tropical storms, Karina and Lowell, were named in the Pacific on Thursday and are anticipated to strengthen into hurricanes over the weekend. Tropical Storm Lowell formed 1,500 miles southeast of Hawaii, while Tropical Storm Karina developed 750 miles south-southwest of Cabo San Lucas, with neither storm expected to make landfall.

Karina is particularly noteworthy for surf conditions in Southern California, currently exhibiting wind speeds of 50 mph. The National Hurricane Center forecasts it could escalate to a Category 3 hurricane with winds reaching 125 mph in the coming days. It is moving northwest, generating waves expected to reach California by late Sunday, peaking on Monday, although the surf size is not predicted to surpass that of Tropical Storm Iselle.

Meanwhile, Lowell is also on track to achieve hurricane status, potentially reaching wind speeds of 110 mph as it moves westward, south of the Hawaiian Islands. Current models suggest it will not impact Hawaii, unlike Hurricane Lala earlier this month. Additionally, there is potential for more tropical activity in the Southern California swell window, with a low-pressure system off Mexico having an 80 percent chance of becoming a tropical storm in the next week.