Rare Pacific storm trio fueled by El Niño

A rare trio of powerful storms, including two major hurricanes, are churning across the Pacific Ocean, fueled by an exceptionally strong El Niño. Hurricane Lowell, a Category 4 storm, is the westernmost, followed by Category 4 Hurricane Karina. Trailing them is Tropical Storm Marie, which was expected to strengthen into a hurricane on Wednesday, September 2, 2026. These storms are generating significant concern for Hawaii, which is still recovering from Hurricane Lala last month. While forecasts from the National Hurricane Center indicate that Lowell and Karina are anticipated to pass well to the south and northeast of the islands, respectively, uncertainty remains regarding their precise tracks. Some models suggest Lowell could pass close to the westernmost Hawaiian Islands, potentially bringing hazardous ocean conditions, heavy rain, and strong winds. Swells from Lowell are already expected to cause life-threatening surf and rip currents across the Hawaiian Islands over the coming days. Forecasters noted that Lowell's satellite presentation has been improving, indicating rapid intensification, and it is expected to remain a major hurricane.