Storms occurring near Hawaii this season have once again caused major flooding on the islands. Although it did not make landfall, Storm Nolo dropped more than 12 inches (30 centimeters) of rain on parts of Maui and the Island of Hawaiʻi. News reports indicated that the storm flooded roads, toppled trees, and triggered landslides, yet the Island of Hawaiʻi was spared the more severe impacts caused by Storm Lala in mid-August.
As of September 28, accumulated cyclone energy in the Northeast Pacific was more than double the normal level, according to data from Colorado State University.
Scientists had predicted increased tropical cyclone activity in this ocean basin during the El Niño event that has been underway since June, reports Science.nasa.gov.
Warm waters in the equatorial Pacific and low wind shear in the region—both characteristic patterns of El Niño—fueled the development and intensification of tropical storms.



