Hurricane Fausto roars in Pacific Ocean, could impact Hawaii next week
During Tropical Storm Bertha continues to rotate in the Gulf Hurricane Fausto It’s churning rough seas in the Pacific and could affect Hawaii next week, forecasters said.
According to the National Hurricane Center, “Surges generated by Fausto are affecting the west coast of the Baja California Peninsula and parts of the southern California coast,” even though the center of the 80 mph hurricane is more than 1,000 miles from the U.S. West Coast.
“These surges are likely to cause life-threatening waves and disrupt existing conditions,” the hurricane center said.
The National Weather Service office in San Diego warned beachgoers of “high surf” and “strong currents” from Thursday through Sunday.
Can Fausto impress Hawaii?
The weather service office in Honolulu said weather in Hawaii next week “will depend on the ultimate track and intensity of Tropical Hurricane Fausto.”
The hurricane center projects this system to gradually weaken as it moves westward and enters the Central Pacific this weekend; Further weakening is expected early next week as we move into a more hostile environment with colder waters and increased shear.
“Right now, [it’s] “It is too early to predict any direct impact from Fausto on Hawaii, but there is increasing confidence that east-facing coasts will see a good boost this weekend through early next week.”
Hurricane Fausto or its remnants could impact Hawaii next week, forecasters said.
Busy Pacific season expected
While a strong El Niño dampens storms in the Atlantic, it has the opposite effect in the Pacific, where a very active season is expected.
Specifically, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is forecasting an above-normal eastern Pacific hurricane season in 2026, calling for up to 22 storms.
An average eastern Pacific season sees 15 named storms. Six storms have already formed.
Doyle Rice is USA TODAY’s national correspondent focusing on weather and climate.
This article first appeared on USA TODAY: Hurricane Fausto roars through Pacific Ocean, could affect Hawaii next week
