Hurricane Calvin Strengthens into Category 3 Storm in Pacific Ocean
Forecasters have stated that Hurricane Calvin, a powerful storm that originated in the Pacific Ocean earlier this week, has now intensified into a Category 3 hurricane. However, it is expected to weaken before reaching Hawaii. As of Friday morning, Hurricane Calvin was classified as a Category 2 storm with winds reaching 105 miles per hour. Later in the day, it intensified further and became a major hurricane, with wind speeds nearing 120 miles per hour. The National Weather Service has reported that although the storm may strengthen a bit more on Friday, it is anticipated to start weakening on Saturday and maintain this trend through early next week.
Despite the approaching storm, there are currently no coastal watches or warnings in effect, according to the Weather Service. Calvin is predicted to begin weakening over the weekend due to colder waters and less favorable atmospheric conditions. By the time it reaches Hawaii in the middle of next week, it is likely to be downgraded to a tropical depression.
The exact location and magnitude of Calvin’s impact on Hawaii are still uncertain, say forecasters. However, they have warned that the storm will generate swells that could lead to “life-threatening surf and rip current conditions” early next week.
Typically, whether a hurricane forms in the Atlantic or Pacific, it tends to move westward, posing a greater threat to North America in the case of Atlantic storms. Though Hawaii is in the central Pacific, it occasionally faces the impact of storms forming in the east. However, it is uncommon for a named storm to make landfall in Hawaii due to the state’s small land area, which is spread across several islands. The last hurricane to make landfall in Hawaii was Iniki in 1992. In 2020, Hurricane Douglas narrowly missed a direct hit but still caused significant damage with its strong winds.
The hurricane season in the Eastern Pacific has already begun and will continue until November 30, two weeks ahead of the Atlantic season. This year, the development of El Niño is complicating the Pacific’s weather patterns. El Niño reduces wind shear in the Pacific, creating conditions more favorable for storm formation. Conversely, in the Atlantic, El Niño increases wind shear, reducing the chances of storm development.
Scientists widely agree that climate change is making hurricanes more powerful. While the overall number of named storms may not be increasing, the likelihood of major hurricanes is rising. Additionally, climate change affects the amount of rainfall produced by storms due to the capacity of warm air to hold more moisture. This was evident in Hurricane Harvey, which caused extensive flooding in Texas in 2017. Storms have also been found to slow down over recent decades, leading to increased moisture absorption and concentrated rainfall in specific areas.
Climate change has various other impacts on storms, including storm surge, rapid intensification, and broader tropical system reach. Researchers are actively studying these effects.
Reported by Christine Hauser and Lauren McCarthy.