Tropical Storm Karina forecast to reach major hurricane strength, bringing hazardous swells to Mexico as Lowell strengthens
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) named Tropical Storms Karina and Lowell at 21:00 UTC on August 27, 2026, as two separate systems developed over the eastern Pacific, with Karina well offshore southwestern Mexico and Lowell farther west. By 15:00 UTC on August 28, Karina had maximum sustained winds of 85 km/h (50 mph) and was forecast to reach 205 km/h (125 mph) on August 31. Swells generated by Karina were expected to produce life-threatening surf and rip current conditions along portions of southwestern Mexico and the Baja California Peninsula during the weekend of August 29–30. Lowell had maximum sustained winds of 75 km/h (45 mph) and was forecast to become a hurricane by August 31.
