Hurricane Kristy surges to record strength, then weakens
The hurricane Kristy, sweeping across the western Pacific, intensified to the highest, fifth category on Thursday. It is unlikely to make landfall, and its strength is diminishing. This is the first storm of such magnitude in this region in over a decade that has developed without the influence of El Niño.
25 October 2024 12:47
The hurricane, which reached the highest, fifth category on Thursday, is expected to weaken on Friday. Experts predict that it will continue its path across the Pacific Ocean without approaching land.
According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC) report from Miami, Kristy reached a maximum wind speed of 260 km/h. The hurricane was located 1,566 kilometres southwest of the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula in Mexico, heading west.
Hurricane Kristy reached its peak intensity. Now it will start to weaken, but there will be tides
The AP agency reports that Hurricane Kristy is expected to generate waves that will affect the western part of the peninsula's coasts until the end of the weekend. This could lead to hazardous tidal conditions.
Meteorologists predict that it will significantly weaken over the coming days. Kristy no longer poses a threat.
However, the phenomenon remains noteworthy. It is a fascinating atmospheric occurrence as the first storm of such strength in this region in over ten years that has developed without the influence of El Niño.
The El Niño effect arises from weather events characterised by sustained above-average sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific. These occur when the easterly trade winds weaken, halting upwelling or the phenomenon of oceanic deep waters rising.
The forecasts for this area for the coming week are favourable. They do not indicate the potential for new tropical cyclones in the Atlantic.
