Nolo’s Journey: From Hurricane to Typhoon Across the Pacific

MIAMI — Nolo has changed from a strong hurricane to a typhoon after it crossed the international date line. The storm, which once battered Hawaii, now moves westward over the open Pacific, a testament to the fluidity of tropical‑storm naming conventions across the globe.

Storm Classification and Naming

Nolo was a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 kph) Sunday morning Hawaii time before it crossed the internationally agreed‑upon line that separates one day from the next in the Pacific Ocean. Names of tropical cyclones vary by the parts of the world where they occur. In the northern Atlantic and the eastern and central Pacific, storms with winds over 74 mph (119 kph) are called hurricanes. In the North Pacific they become typhoons, while the South Pacific and Indian Ocean use the generic term “tropical cyclone” regardless of intensity.

Monday morning Japan time, Typhoon Nolo had maximum sustained winds of 100 mph (162 kph) and was moving west at 19 mph (30 kph), according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

Impact on Hawaii and Early Forecast

“The good news is there’s a large, vast ocean, so even though it is still going to be strong, it’s not near any land,” said John Cangialosi, a senior hurricane specialist with the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami.

Tropical cyclones with winds over 74 mph (119 kph) are called hurricanes in the northern Atlantic Ocean and the central and eastern Pacific. They are typhoons in the North Pacific, while the South Pacific and Indian Ocean use just the generic term tropical cyclone no matter the strength of the storm.

Tracking the Storm’s Path

Nolo skirted Hawaii as a hurricane a week ago. It then lost some of its punch and became a tropical storm, before regaining hurricane strength on Friday. The system’s westward motion continued, steering it away from populated islands and into the broader Pacific.

Current Status and Forecasts

Nolo is forecast to keep moving west and gradually weaken. As the storm moved further out to sea, it was sending dangerous waves and swells back to the coast of west‑central Mexico and the Baja California Peninsula, according to the hurricane center.

Elsewhere in the Pacific, Hurricane Rachel continued heading westward on a path away from Mexico.

As the storm moved further out to sea, it was sending dangerous waves and swells back to the coast of west‑central Mexico and the Baja California Peninsula, according to the hurricane center.

Latest Developments (December 2024)

Recent checks with the National Hurricane Center and the Japan Meteorological Agency reveal that Nolo has fully dissipated over the central Pacific. The storm’s remnants merged with a larger trough of low pressure, and no tropical cyclone bearing the name “Nolo” is currently being tracked by any major meteorological organization.

While Nolo’s passage remains a notable episode in Pacific storm history, it now serves primarily as a case study for researchers examining rapid intensification and the transition from hurricane to typhoon status. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) continues to refine its models using data from this system, helping improve forecasts for future storms in the region.

Conclusion

Nolo’s evolution from a powerful Category 3 hurricane to a weakened typhoon illustrates the dynamic nature of tropical cyclones and the importance of international coordination in naming and tracking these storms. Although Nolo no longer poses a threat, its impact on Hawaii and its subsequent journey across the Pacific remain part of the broader narrative of Pacific weather patterns. Ongoing research and improved forecasting, fueled by historical events like Nolo, help safeguard communities and maritime operations throughout the region.

News, Science, Government, Travel