Active Hurricanes in the Pacific Ocean

Currently, three hurricanes—Polo, Nolo, and Odalys—are active in the Pacific Ocean. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has warned these storms could lead to heavy rainfall and flash flooding threats in the southwestern United States over the coming weekend and into the next week.

Rainfall Predictions

The National Weather Service (NWS) branch in Phoenix, Arizona, released a map illustrating the increased likelihood of heavy rainfall across Wednesday and Thursday. The affected areas include Arizona, New Mexico, northern Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Kansas. The NWS Phoenix branch highlighted their model projection showing deep moisture from Hurricanes Polo and Odalys could cause widespread heavy rain across the Desert Southwest early next week, heightening the risk of flash flooding.

Hurricane Polo

According to the NHC, Hurricane Polo is expected to make landfall in Baja California Sur, Mexico, early next week. This could lead to life-threatening flooding and mudslides starting Sunday. The agency also forecasts dangerous surf and rip currents along the northwest coast of Mexico and Baja California in the coming days. As of 8 a.m. ET on Saturday, Hurricane Polo had maximum sustained wind speeds of 155 miles per hour, categorizing it as a category four hurricane, moving west-northwest at about nine miles per hour.

Hurricane Odalys

Hurricane Odalys is located to the west and slightly north of Polo, with maximum sustained winds of 105 miles per hour and moving north at seven miles per hour, according to the NHC. Odalys is predicted to also affect the southwestern U.S. with southern swells through the middle of next week, overlapping Hurricane Polo’s impact. This year’s Pacific hurricanes are more numerous than usual due to the El Niño climate pattern, which raises water temperatures near the equator, creating ideal conditions for hurricanes.

Hurricane Nolo

Located further west, Hurricane Nolo has sustained wind speeds of 105 miles per hour south of Hawaii. The NHC has warned of potential tropical storm conditions with possible hurricane conditions, particularly in areas of steep terrain. Nolo was upgraded to a hurricane on Thursday night, as predicted to strengthen. The forecast includes periods of heavy rain across the Big Island and eastern Maui over the weekend, posing risks of life-threatening flooding and mudslides, specifically in steep southern and eastern areas. Powerful gusty winds are anticipated throughout the Hawaiian Islands as the weekend progresses.

Nor’easter on the East Coast

On the opposite side of the country, the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center is forecasting a strong Nor’easter storm along the North American East Coast over the weekend. The center predicts rapid intensification off the Mid-Atlantic Coast on Saturday, moving towards the New Jersey coast by late Saturday and Sunday. Significant coastal flooding is expected from the Mid-Atlantic Coast during several high tide cycles throughout the weekend, potentially submerging roads and affecting homes and businesses in Southern New England and the Carolinas. Gale-force winds, with gusts of 45-65 miles per hour, may cause power outages in Eastern Long Island and Southwestern New England.