Tropical Storm Norbert poised to become Pacific's next hurricane, potentially heading toward Hawaii
Tropical Storm Norbert is strengthening slightly in the open Pacific after forming early Thursday, becoming the 16th named storm in the basin this season, which has already produced 3 major hurricanes (Category 3+).
THE TAKEAWAY
Tropical Storm Norbert is strengthening slightly in the open Pacific after forming early Thursday, becoming the 16th named storm in the basin this season, which has already produced 3 major hurricanes (Category 3+). The Pacific has been supercharged by an El Niño that could reach historic strength later this year.
Tropical Storm Norbert currently has sustained winds of 60 mph and is moving west at 15 mph. The FOX Forecast Center said Norbert could strengthen into a hurricane sometime this weekend or early next week.
Norbert's future will largely depend on its track as AI and computer forecast models remain very uncertain about the storm's course beyond the weekend.
A more northerly track would bring Norbert over cooler waters and limit its intensity.
If Norbert tracks farther south, it will remain over slightly warmer waters and would likely become a stronger storm that could track in the general direction of Hawaii.
HURRICANE LOWELL FOLLOWS SIMILAR TRACK TO THE WORST HURRICANE IN HAWAII'S HISTORY
"Current long-range forecasts have this system continue to move east and potentially in the direction of Hawaii, but that is over a week and a half away," the FOX Forecast Center said.
"There is plenty of time for forecasts to change and evolve."
Of the 16 named storms in the Central and Eastern Pacific this season, three have had impacts on Hawaii, which generally doesn't see that much tropical activity.
Hurricane Lowell made a rare direct hit on the state's western islands earlier this week.
A strengthening El Niño and favorable atmospheric conditions continue to fuel an active Pacific hurricane season.
El Niño is typically associated with reduced tropical cyclone activity in the Atlantic Basin and increased storm activity in the Eastern and Central Pacific basins, along with a host of other weather impacts around the world outside of hurricane season.
"Outside of Norbert, there are two other areas to watch, one of which has a high chance of development over the next 7 days situated right around current Tropical Storm Norbert," the FOX Forecast Center said.
Tune into FOX Weather as we track the development of this storm.
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