World News
Hurricane Karina strengthens in Pacific Ocean with potential to intensify further
Forecasters expect the Category 1 storm to remain well offshore, though coastal swells pose risks to parts of Mexico.
The short version
- Tropical Storm Karina upgraded to a Category 1 hurricane in the Pacific Ocean on Sunday, with wind speeds reaching 80 mph.
- The storm is located roughly 820 miles southwest of the Baja California Peninsula and is moving northwest away from land.
- Although no direct land impact is anticipated, swells are expected to bring hazardous surf and rip currents to coastal areas of southwest Mexico and Baja California.
Key facts
- The National Hurricane Center reported that Tropical Storm Karina intensified into a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h).[ABC News · Associated Press]
- As of Sunday, Karina was moving northwest at 15 mph approximately 820 miles southwest of Mexico's Baja California Peninsula.[ABC News · Associated Press]
- Ocean swells generated by the storm are expected to cause dangerous surf and rip currents along parts of the southwestern coast of Mexico and the Baja California Peninsula.[ABC News · Associated Press]
- Tropical Storm Lowell was also active in the Pacific, located 1,150 miles southeast of Hawaii and posing no direct threat to land.[ABC News · Associated Press]
What remains uncertain
- Whether Hurricane Karina will reach Category 3 or higher status as predicted by meteorologists later in the week.[ABC News · Associated Press]
Sources
- Tropical Storm Karina strengthens into a hurricane in the PacificABC News - Technology
- Tropical Storm Karina strengthens into a hurricane and could be a major storm this weekAssociated Press