Tropical Cyclone Discussion
107 WTPZ41 KNHC 302340 TCDEP1 Hurricane Karina Special Discussion Number 14 NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL EP112026 500 PM PDT Sun Aug 30 2026 The satellite presentation of Karina has improved immensely over the past several hours. Very cold cloud top temperatures of -70 to -75 C now completely surround a warm eye, with temperatures near 0 to -5 C. An earlier GPM GMI microwave pass also revealed a compact and well-established eye and pronounced curved banding around the center. Karina is moving over very warm sea surface temperatures near 29 C and remains in an environment highly conducive to further intensification. Objective intensity estimates have also increased rapidly over the past several hours, ranging from 88-109 kt. Based on the satellite presentation, microwave imagery, environmental conditions and objective intensity estimates, the initial intensity is set at 110 kt, making Karina a major hurricane. The intensity forecast has been increased from the previous advisory. There were no changes made to the track or wind radii forecasts. A new forecast will be issued at 0300 UTC. FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS INIT 31/0000Z 17.2N 123.4W 110 KT 125 MPH 12H 31/0600Z 17.1N 124.2W 120 KT 140 MPH 24H 31/1800Z 17.3N 125.8W 120 KT 140 MPH 36H 01/0600Z 17.6N 127.6W 115 KT 130 MPH 48H 01/1800Z 18.0N 129.4W 110 KT 125 MPH 60H 02/0600Z 18.6N 131.3W 105 KT 120 MPH 72H 02/1800Z 19.0N 132.9W 95 KT 110 MPH 96H 03/1800Z 19.9N 136.2W 85 KT 100 MPH 120H 04/1800Z 20.7N 139.3W 70 KT 80 MPH