Active Hurricanes in the Pacific Ocean
Currently, three hurricanes—Polo, Nolo, and Odalys—are active in the Pacific Ocean. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) warns that these storms could lead to significant rainfall and flash flooding threats in the southwestern United States this weekend and into the next week.
The National Weather Service (NWS) in Phoenix, Arizona, released a map showing a dramatic increase in heavy rainfall probability by Wednesday and Thursday across states including Arizona, New Mexico, northern Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Kansas.
The NWS of Phoenix stated: “Here is a model projection of how a weather system will interact with deep moisture from Hurricanes Polo and Odalys to potentially bring widespread heavy rain to much of the Desert Southwest early next week. This will lead to a heightened risk for flash flooding.”
Hurricane Polo
Hurricane Polo is predicted to make landfall in Baja California Sur, Mexico, early next week. The NHC forecasts life-threatening flooding and mudslides starting Sunday. Additionally, dangerous surf and rip currents are expected along parts of Mexico’s northwest coast and Baja California over several days.
As of 8 a.m. ET on Saturday, Polo has maximum sustained wind speeds of 155 miles per hour, categorizing it as a category four hurricane. It is moving west-northwest at about nine miles per hour.
Hurricane Odalys
Positioned to the west and slightly north of Polo, Hurricane Odalys has maximum sustained winds of 105 miles per hour. It is moving north at seven miles per hour. The NHC anticipates that southern swells from Odalys will affect the U.S. Southwest through mid-next week, potentially overlapping with Polo’s impact.
The higher number of Pacific hurricanes this year links to the El Niño climate pattern, which raises Pacific water temperatures near the equator, creating optimal hurricane conditions.
Hurricane Nolo
Further west, Hurricane Nolo, with sustained winds of 105 miles per hour, is south of Hawaii. This results in tropical storm conditions, with potential hurricane conditions later today, particularly in steep terrain areas. The NHC upgraded Nolo to a hurricane on Thursday night, following predictions it would strengthen.
“Periods of heavy rain” are anticipated across Hawaii’s Big Island and eastern Maui over the weekend. This could lead to significant, life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in steep southern and eastern regions. Strong gusty winds are expected across the Hawaiian Islands as the weekend progresses.
Powerful Nor’easter on the East Coast
On the East Coast of the United States, the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center forecasts a strong Nor’easter over the weekend. The storm will rapidly intensify off the Mid-Atlantic Coast on Saturday and move towards the New Jersey coast by late Saturday and Sunday.
Residents should prepare for major coastal flooding across the Mid-Atlantic Coast over multiple high-tide cycles through the weekend, with low-lying areas at risk of submerged roads impacting homes and businesses in Southern New England and the Carolinas.
The Nor’easter is expected to bring gale-force winds of 45-65 miles per hour to much of the U.S. East Coast, potentially causing power outages in Eastern Long Island and Southwestern New England.