The Pacific Ocean is currently experiencing three active hurricanes: Polo, Nolo, and Odalys. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reports that these storms may result in significant rainfall and flash flooding in the southwestern United States over the weekend and into next week.
A map from the National Weather Service (NWS) branch in Phoenix, Arizona, depicts a sharp rise in the probability of heavy rainfall on Wednesday and Thursday. Regions affected include Arizona, New Mexico, northern Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Kansas.
The NWS Phoenix branch 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, increasing the risk of flash flooding.”
Hurricane Polo
Hurricane Polo is forecasted to make landfall in Baja California Sur, Mexico, early next week. The potential for life-threatening flooding and mudslides starts from Sunday onwards. Dangerous surf and rip currents are expected to affect portions of the northwest coast of Mexico and Baja California over the next several days.
As of 8 a.m. ET on Saturday, the NHC reported that Polo has maximum sustained wind speeds of 155 miles per hour, categorizing it as a category four hurricane, and it is moving west-northwest at roughly nine miles per hour.
Hurricane Odalys
Hurricane Odalys, located slightly north of Polo, has maximum sustained winds of 105 miles per hour, heading north at seven miles per hour according to the NHC. Southern swells from Odalys will impact the southwestern U.S. through mid-next week, overlapping with effects from Polo.
The Pacific has seen an unusual increase in hurricanes this year due to the El Niño climate pattern, which elevates water temperatures near the equator, creating ideal conditions for these events.
Hurricane Nolo
Further west, Hurricane Nolo is positioned south of Hawaii, featuring sustained wind speeds of 105 miles per hour. Tropical storm conditions are present, with hurricane conditions possible later today, especially in steep terrain. The NHC upgraded Nolo to a hurricane on Thursday night as forecasted.
Heavy rain is expected across Hawaii’s Big Island and eastern Maui over the weekend, potentially leading to severe flooding and mudslides. Powerful winds are forecasted to affect the Hawaiian Islands over the weekend.
Powerful Nor’easter
On the East Coast, the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center forecasts a potent Nor’easter. This storm is expected to rapidly intensify off the Mid-Atlantic Coast on Saturday, moving towards the New Jersey coast on late Saturday and Sunday.
Residents are warned to brace for major coastal flooding, especially in Southern New England and the Carolinas, with potential for submerged roads and affected homes and businesses. Gale-force winds of 45-65 miles per hour could lead to power outages for Eastern Long Island and Southwestern New England.