Three Hurricanes Simultaneously in the Pacific: El Niño Triggers an Exceptional Weather Situation

Sunday 06 September 2026 - 10:21

The tropical Pacific is experiencing a particularly unusual weather pattern. Three cyclonic systems are simultaneously evolving in the basin, including a new hurricane formed off the coast of Mexico. Scientists highlight the abnormally high sea temperatures, linked to an exceptional El Niño episode, as one of the factors contributing to this succession of powerful phenomena.

A Third Hurricane Joins the Other Two

The Pacific basin is currently marked by extraordinary cyclonic activity. Tropical Storm Marie has strengthened to hurricane status while located about 600 kilometers from the coast of Baja California in western Mexico.

According to information provided by the American National Hurricane Center (NHC), the system is expected to strengthen further before reaching its peak intensity.

However, Marie is not evolving alone. Two other hurricanes, Lowell and Karina, are already present in the Pacific. The latter has reached Category 4, demonstrating the considerable power developed by some of the currently active systems.

All three phenomena are moving westward over a vast ocean expanse particularly favorable for cyclone development.

A Configuration Considered Particularly Rare

The simultaneous presence of three hurricanes in this part of the Pacific is drawing the attention of specialists. According to Julia Cole, a climatologist at the University of Michigan, such a situation is "certainly rare."

The researcher notably establishes a link between this activity and the exceptional oceanic conditions observed in the basin. When the waters of the tropical Pacific are warmer than their usual average, they can provide more energy to the developing tropical systems.

This oceanic warmth alone is not enough to explain every cyclonic phenomenon. However, it is a determining ingredient in the formation and intensification of storms when other atmospheric conditions are met.

El Niño at the Heart of Current Conditions

The El Niño phenomenon plays a central role in the analysis put forth by scientists. This natural climatic phenomenon is characterized by an abnormal warming of part of the surface waters of the equatorial Pacific.

In the current context, the exceptional intensity attributed to El Niño is believed to have contributed to creating an environment particularly conducive to the development of powerful tropical systems.

For Julia Cole, the warming associated with El Niño thus creates favorable conditions for an increase in significant storms. When the tropical Pacific shows temperatures above normal, the energy potential available for cyclonic systems increases.

This situation partly explains why several hurricanes can be active simultaneously over a relatively large geographical area.

Activity to Monitor

The simultaneous emergence of Marie, Lowell, and Karina is not just a meteorological curiosity. The trajectory and evolution of each of these systems are under constant surveillance, especially due to the rapid changes that tropical cyclones can undergo.

For the populations and territories located along the potential paths, the key issue remains having sufficient timely information about the evolution of these phenomena.

Beyond this episode, this sequence also serves as a reminder of the significant influence of oceanic conditions on cyclonic activity. The combination of particularly warm waters and a climate context dominated by El Niño currently provides the Pacific with a favorable ground for weather phenomena remarkable for their simultaneity and intensity.