Rare trio of Pacific cyclones form as El Nino creates perfect storm conditions

Rare trio of Pacific cyclones form as El Nino creates perfect storm conditions Cyclones Lowell, Karina and Marie have all been spotted in the Pacific – the first time three hurricanes have been simultaneously active in the Eastern or Central Pacific since 2015, as El Niño fuels rare weather conditions An extraordinary trio of tropical cyclones has been spotted swirling over the Pacific Ocean. Rising temperatures in the Eastern Pacific, driven by El Niño, have created the perfect breeding ground for these powerful storms to form. El Niño is a weather phenomenon in which sea surface temperatures in the tropical eastern and central Pacific climb above their long-term average, typically occurring every two to seven years. Warmer ocean waters pump more heat and moisture into the lower atmosphere, reducing air pressure and enabling thunderstorms to organise themselves into spinning tropical cyclones. Cyclones Lowell and Karina are expected to reach category 3 or 4 intensity, while Marie could approach category 3 strength. Lowell is forecast to pass close to or just west of Hawaii as a major hurricane early next week, while Karina and Marie are predicted to stay over open water, posing no direct threat to land. The last occasion three hurricanes simultaneously churned through the Eastern or Central Pacific was back in 2015, when Hurricanes Kilo, Ignacio, and Jimena all spun across the Pacific during another El Niño year. Category 3 and 4 hurricanes are classed as major storms, packing sustained winds of at least 111 mph (178 km/h) and capable of wreaking havoc, including widespread power cuts and extensive destruction of trees.