Three powerful cyclones are currently active in the Pacific Ocean at the same time, a rare event that is being fueled by a particularly strong El Niño. El Niño is a climate pattern characterized by warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific, which can lead to more frequent and intense tropical storms and hurricanes. This year, the phenomenon has been especially strong, and it is already contributing to extreme weather conditions across the globe. On Wednesday, September 2, two category 4 hurricanes—Lowell and Karina—along with a tropical storm named Marie, were moving across the Pacific. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reports that both hurricanes are expected to remain far from the Hawaiian coastline, though increased wind speeds and rainfall are still possible in the region. Hawaii is still recovering from the effects of Hurricane Lala, which passed through in early August and caused flooding and damage to infrastructure. Tropical Storm Marie, which is currently near the Mexican coast, is expected to intensify into a hurricane later in the day, according to the NHC. Julia Cole, a climatologist at the University of Michigan, explained that the warm ocean temperatures associated with El Niño create ideal conditions for storm development. "These storms are largely fueled by warm waters," she told AFP. She also noted that a sequence of three simultaneous storms is "certainly rare to observe." The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) estimates that this year’s El Niño has a 69% chance of becoming the strongest on record. While it is expected to reach its peak intensity around November, it is already causing extreme weather events worldwide. From heavy rainfall in parts of South America to droughts in other regions, the effects of this powerful El Niño are being felt far beyond the Pacific.