Tropical storm Karina strengthens into hurricane in Pacific, threatens major damage this week

Tropical Storm Karina reached hurricane status in the Pacific Ocean on Sunday and could develop into a major storm this week, according to forecasters. The storm's center remained far out at sea and was not currently posing any threat to land. Karina was clocking in at maximum sustained winds of 80 miles per hour (130 kilometers per hour), classifying it as a Category 1 hurricane.

A true major hurricane is categorized as Category 3 or higher. The storm was situated approximately 820 miles southwest of the southern tip of Mexico's Baja California Peninsula and was making its way northwest at a brisk 15 miles per hour. Forecast paths suggest a trajectory that would keep Karina well clear of any landmasses.

Nevertheless, swells generated by the hurricane were anticipated to inflict hazardous surf and rip current conditions along stretches of the southwest Mexican coastline and the Baja California Peninsula, as per the hurricane center's warning. Separately, Tropical Storm Lowell was observed 1,150 miles southeast of Hawaii, with no land threat in sight. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has projected a below-average Atlantic hurricane season.