How Hurricane Lala was juiced by El Niño
El Niño years typically mean warmer ocean temperatures and less wind shear in some parts of the Pacific—and that means more potential for hurricanes in that area
Hurricane Lala has made landfall in Hawaii, causing significant damage and at least one fatality, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm, which reached Category 1 status, brought winds of 75 miles per hour and heavy rains to the Big Island. Governor Josh Green warned of ongoing power outages and postponed flights.
As of Monday, the cyclone had weakened to a tropical storm and was located southwest of the islands. While the worst is past, the state may still experience rain and localized flooding, the NHC stated. While Hawaii is typically not a hurricane hotspot due to its location, the El Niño weather pattern is believed to have contributed to Lala's formation.
During El Niño years, warmer Pacific ocean temperatures create more favorable conditions for hurricanes, reducing wind shear in the eastern Pacific. This year's El Niño is particularly strong, potentially fueling more hurricanes near Hawaii. Despite the recent devastation, experts advise residents to prepare for potential future storms, including securing homes, stocking up on supplies, and ensuring adequate ventilation for any generators.
Written by urgent.news from Scientific American's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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