Hurricane Kristy grew to a Category 5 storm on Thursday as it churned in the Pacific Ocean, with experts anticipating a gradual weakening in the coming weeks.
As of Thursday afternoon, Kristy was located 970 miles southwest of the southern tip of Baja California, Mexico, moving westward at 16 mph ( 26 kph ) with sustained winds of 160 mph ( 260 kph ), according to the National Hurricane Center ( NHC).
Although Kristy poses no immediate risk to land, according to USA Today, the NHC cautioned that the waves that the storm are expected to cause severe search and rip current conditions throughout the Baja California island’s east coast over the weekend.
Second Category 5 surprise in the Pacific since 2010 without El Nio.
Since Hurricane Celia in 2010, Kristy became the first Pacific storms to pass through the El Nio without the impact of El Nio.
Generally, El Niño circumstances, which involve cooler waters and reduced weather strain in the eastern Pacific, contribute to stronger wind development. But, Kristy defied this pattern, more showcasing the volatility of the 2024 cyclone period.
Tropical Storm Nadine, which made landfall in Belize earlier in October, is where the wind came from. The tropical power of Nadine, which had dissipated, migrated northwest across Mexico, accelerating Kristy’s rapid expansion into the Pacific basin.
As the second Category 5 wind of 2024, Kristy joins Beryl and Milton, putting a new chapter in the hurricane season.
Expected weakening away
The hurricane is expected to begin sagging on Friday, with the hurricane losing its Category 5 standing as it moves over empty lakes. By the trip, the storm is expected to have descended to a tropical depression, according to the NHC. However, there are still potential strength changes through Thursday nights.
Although the storm is not anticipated to directly affect any landmass, dangerous conditions are likely to arise along the Baja California peninsula’s north coast as a result of its strong winds and swells.
Analysts are also monitoring the possible growth of La Nia, which was increase wind shear in the Pacific and make it harder for storms to type as the cyclone season in the Eastern Pacific gets closer to November 30.