Where is Tropical Storm Karina now? Powerful 145 mph hurricane sparks concern for Mexico and Southern California

Tropical Storm Karina has rapidly intensified into a powerful Category 4 hurricane over the eastern Pacific, with maximum sustained winds reaching 145 mph, according to the US National Hurricane Center (NHC). Despite its strength, Karina is currently far from land and is not posing an immediate direct threat to coastal areas.

The storm's rapid strengthening comes after Karina became a hurricane on Sunday. Warm ocean waters and favourable atmospheric conditions have helped fuel the system as it moves westward across the Pacific.

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Where is Tropical Storm Karina now?

Karina was located about 1,020 miles (1,642 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Mexico's Baja California Peninsula, according to the latest forecast information. The storm was moving west, away from the Mexican coast. There are currently no coastal watches or warnings in effect for Karina.

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Although Karina is not expected to make an immediate landfall, its size and strength could still have an impact on ocean conditions.

The NHC has warned that swells generated by the hurricane could affect portions of the coast of southwest Mexico and the Baja California Peninsula, potentially creating dangerous surf and rip-current conditions.

Could Karina affect Southern California?

The powerful hurricane is not currently tracking directly toward Southern California. However, the large swells generated by Karina could spread northward and affect parts of the California coast. Forecasters are therefore watching ocean conditions even though there is no current coastal warning for Southern California.

For beachgoers, the biggest concern is potentially strong surf and dangerous rip currents, rather than hurricane-force winds.

How quickly did Karina strengthen?

Karina's intensification has been unusually rapid. On Saturday, the system was still a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of around 65 mph. The NHC said at the time that strengthening was expected and that Karina could become a major hurricane early the following week.

By early Sunday, Karina had become a hurricane with winds of 80 mph. Later Sunday, winds climbed to 125 mph, making Karina a Category 3 major hurricane. By Monday, it had strengthened further into a Category 4 storm, with winds reaching 145 mph.

The NHC said warm sea-surface temperatures, limited wind shear and moist mid-level air had helped Karina rapidly intensify.

Tropical Storm Lowell also being watched

Karina is not the only Pacific storm attracting attention. Tropical Storm Lowell was also located far from land and moving westward. It had maximum sustained winds of around 60 mph and was positioned roughly 855 miles east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii.

Forecasters said Lowell could strengthen into a hurricane by Monday night or Tuesday. While it posed no immediate threat, its projected path could bring it closer to the Hawaiian Islands later in the week.

What happens next?

For now, Karina is expected to remain over the open Pacific. The key factors forecasters will monitor are its intensity, movement and the ocean swells reaching coastal areas. While the storm is powerful, there is currently no direct land threat from Karina.

Residents and visitors along parts of Mexico, Baja California and potentially Southern California should nevertheless keep an eye on updated marine and surf advisories as the hurricane continues across the Pacific.