COURTESY NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER
Two tropical storms have formed in the Eastern Pacific waters as of 5 p.m. today.
UPDATE: 5 p.m.
Tropical Storm Karina has strengthened a bit as it continues moving northwestward well off the coast of southwest Mexico.
As of about 5 p.m. today, Karina was located about 780 miles south-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.
Karina was moving with increased maximum sustained winds of 50 mph with higher gusts and expected to gain hurricane strength over the weekend.
Karina was traveling northwest at 13 mph and forecast to continue in this general motion over the next several days.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 205 miles from the center.
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Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Lowell was drifting east-northeastward with little change in strength.
As of about 5 p.m. today, Lowell was located about 1,745 miles west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California and about 1,545 miles east-southeast of Hilo.
Lowell was moving with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph with higher gusts and traveling east-northeast at 5 mph.
The storm is forecast to move toward the north by Friday with a westward motion expected by Saturday.
Lowell is likely to grow stronger over the next several days and become a hurricane by Sunday.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 80 miles from the center.
EARLIER COVERAGE
Two tropical storms are churning in the Eastern Pacific waters and growing stronger as El Nino-fueled waters continue to fuel disturbances this week.
Tropical Storms Lowell and Karina have formed in Eastern Pacific waters far southeast of the Hawaiian Islands.
At 11 a.m., Lowell was located about 1,765 miles west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Lowell was packing maximum sustained winds near 40 mph with higher gusts and moving east-northeast at 5 mph. Lowell is forecast to turn north by Friday with a westward motion by Saturday.
Lowell could grow stronger and become a hurricane by Saturday night.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles from the center.
At 2 p.m., Karina formed off the coast of southwest Mexico and was located about 825 miles south of the southern tip of Baja California.
Karina was packing maximum sustained winds of 45 mph with higher gusts and traveling west-northwest at 13 mph. Karina is forecast to continue in this general motion over the next several days.
Just like Lowell, Karina is forecast to become a hurricane over the weekend.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 205 miles from the center.