Hurricane Lowell intensified to a Category 5 storm as it moved west, followed by Hurricane Karina, which is a Category 4 storm. ^[1] Two powerful hurricanes and a strengthening tropical storm were churning through the Pacific Ocean on Wednesday, fueled by a historically strong El Nino climate episode. ^[2] Hurricane Lowell reached Category 5 status, the highest classification, while moving westward. ^[3] The El Niño phenomenon is currently fueling a succession of storms in the Pacific Ocean. ^[4] The National Hurricane Center (NHC) stated that both storms are expected to pass well to the south and to the northeast of Hawaii, respectively. ^[5] The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) stated that this year's El Nino has a 69 percent chance of becoming the strongest on record. ^[6] Hurricane Lowell and Hurricane Karina were both Category 4 storms expected to pass south and northeast of Hawaii, respectively. ^[7] Tropical Storm Marie was trailing the hurricanes to the east and was expected to become a hurricane later that day. ^[8] The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration stated that the current El Niño phenomenon has a 69% probability of becoming the most intense one ever recorded. ^[9] These severe weather systems are moving westward as part of the ongoing El Niño climate pattern. ^[10]