Hurricane Activity in Pacific Ocean Elevates Flood Risks

The Pacific Ocean is currently experiencing heightened hurricane activity with Hurricanes Polo, Nolo, and Odalys active. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has raised concerns about potential heavy rainfall and flash flood threats in the southwestern United States this weekend and into the next week.

A map from the National Weather Service (NWS) in Phoenix, Arizona displays a significant increase in heavy rainfall probability over Wednesday and Thursday across regions including Arizona, New Mexico, northern Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Kansas. The NWS Phoenix highlighted how deep moisture from Hurricanes Polo and Odalys might lead to widespread heavy rain in the Desert Southwest early next week, elevating flash flood risks.

Hurricane Polo

Hurricane Polo is predicted to make landfall in Baja California Sur, Mexico early next week, possibly causing life-threatening flooding and mudslides from Sunday onwards. Additionally, dangerous surf and rip currents are anticipated along portions of the northwest coast of Mexico and Baja California in the coming days. As of 8 a.m. ET on Saturday, Polo had maximum sustained wind speeds of 155 miles per hour, categorizing it as a category four hurricane, progressing west-northwest at approximately nine miles per hour.

Hurricane Odalys

Positioned to the northwest of Polo, Hurricane Odalys possesses maximum sustained winds of 105 miles per hour and is moving north at seven miles per hour. Southern swells caused by Odalys are expected to affect the southwestern U.S. through the middle of next week, overlapping with Hurricane Polo’s influence. The Pacific’s unusual hurricane frequency is attributed to the El Niño climate pattern which has led to increased water temperatures near the equator, thus creating favorable conditions for hurricanes.

Hurricane Nolo

Further west, Hurricane Nolo, with sustained winds of 105 miles per hour, is situated south of Hawaii. Tropical storm conditions are present, with potential hurricane conditions expected later today, especially in areas of steep terrain. Nolo was upgraded to a hurricane on Thursday night following forecasts indicating strengthening. The NHC anticipates periods of heavy rain over the Big Island and eastern Maui over the weekend, likely culminating in significant, life-threatening flooding and mudslides, particularly in steep southern and eastern regions. Powerful gusty winds are forecast across the Hawaiian Islands as the weekend progresses.

Nor’easter on U.S. East Coast

Meanwhile, the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center is monitoring a strong Nor’easter along the North American East Coast. The storm is expected to intensify quickly off the Mid-Atlantic Coast on Saturday before moving towards the New Jersey coast late Saturday into Sunday. Residents in Southern New England and the Carolinas are advised to brace for major coastal flooding over several high tide cycles through the weekend, with potential road submersions and impacts on homes and businesses. Gale-force winds, gusts ranging from 45 to 65 miles per hour, might cause power outages in Eastern Long Island and Southwestern New England.