Tropical Storm Karina has rapidly intensified into a powerful Category 4 hurricane over the eastern Pacific, with maximum sustained winds reaching 145 mph, according to the US National Hurricane Center (NHC). Despite its strength, Karina is currently far from land and is not posing an immediate direct threat to coastal areas.
The storm's rapid strengthening comes after Karina became a hurricane on Sunday. Warm ocean waters and favourable atmospheric conditions have helped fuel the system as it moves westward across the Pacific.
