Karina rapidly becomes a major hurricane in the Pacific far from land, forecasters say
This satellite image released by NOAA shows Hurricane Karina strengthening off the southern tip of Baja California on Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026. (NOAA via AP) MIAMI (AP) — Hurricane Karina formed Sunday in the Pacific Ocean and swiftly intensified into a dangerous major storm within hours, fueled by warm waters far offshore where it poses no immediate threat to land. Karina gained Category 1 hurricane status early Sunday with top sustained winds of 80 mph (130 kph) and then took mere hours to jump up to a dangerous Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 kph), the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said. A major hurricane is a Category 3 or greater with maximum sustained winds of at least 111 mph (178 kph).
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This satellite image released by NOAA shows Hurricane Karina strengthening off the southern tip of Baja California on Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026. (NOAA via AP) MIAMI (AP) — Hurricane Karina formed Sunday in the Pacific Ocean and swiftly intensified into a dangerous major storm within hours, fueled by warm waters far offshore where it poses no immediate threat to land. Karina gained Category 1 hurricane status early Sunday with top sustained winds of 80 mph (130 kph) and then took mere hours to jump up to a dangerous Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 kph), the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said. A major hurricane is a Category 3 or greater with maximum sustained winds of at least 111 mph (178 kph).