Two Pacific tropical storms form as Atlantic Dolly develops

The National Hurricane Center said Tropical Storms Karina and Lowell developed Thursday in the Pacific Ocean and could intensify into hurricanes within the next few days. Karina was located about 825 miles (1,330 km) south of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds near 45 mph (75 km/h). Lowell was roughly 1,765 miles (2,840 km) west-southwest of the same point, with winds around 40 mph (65 km/h). No coastal watches or warnings were in effect for either system, though the center warned that swells from Karina could generate dangerous surf and rip currents along parts of southwest Mexico and the Baja California Peninsula over the weekend.

In the Atlantic, Tropical Storm Dolly formed farther from land and was moving westward about 1,555 miles (2,500 km) east of the Leeward Islands, also with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (64 km/h). The center indicated that the Leeward Islands could experience heavy rain on Saturday and Sunday, while the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Hispaniola might see additional rain on Sunday and Monday. No coastal watches or warnings were issued, but flash flooding was possible.

The Atlantic season, now in its fourth named storm, follows earlier systems including Arthur, Bertha, and Cristobal. NOAA projects a below-average season due to El Niño, forecasting eight to 14 named storms, three to six hurricanes and one to three major hurricanes. Names are assigned by the World Meteorological Organization to simplify communication and are retired when associated with particularly severe storms; the name Melissa was retired after a Category 5 hurricane in 2025.