Hurricane Kristy reaches peak, first category 5 in a decade
The hurricane Kristy, moving across the western Pacific, intensified to the highest, fifth category on Thursday. It is unlikely to make landfall, and its strength is weakening. This is the first storm of such intensity in this part of the world in over a decade that developed without the involvement of El Niño.
25 October 2024 09:34
The hurricane, which reached the highest, fifth category on Thursday, is expected to weaken on Friday. Experts predict that it will continue its path across the Pacific Ocean, not approaching land.
According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC) report from Miami, Kristy reached a maximum wind speed of 260 km/h. The hurricane was located 1,566 km southwest of the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula in Mexico, heading west.
Hurricane Kristy reached its peak intensity; now it will start to weaken, but there will be tides
"Hurricane Kristy is expected to generate waves that will affect the western part of the peninsula's coasts until the end of the weekend. This could lead to dangerous tidal conditions," reports the AP agency.
Meteorologists predict that it will significantly weaken over the coming days. Kristy is no longer a concern.
However, the phenomenon remains notable. It is an interesting atmospheric event as the first storm of such strength in this region of the world in over ten years that developed without the involvement of El Niño.
The El Niño effect results from weather events characterized by sustained above-average sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific. These occur when the easterly trade winds weaken, leading to a halt in upwelling, or the phenomenon of oceanic deep waters rising.
The forecasts for the coming week for this area are favourable. They do not indicate the potential for new tropical cyclones in the Atlantic.
