01 / 10
Hurricane Polo remains off Mexico
Polo strengthened from a tropical storm into a category five hurricane before easing to category four off Mexico.
What happened
Polo formed in the Pacific off southwestern Mexico on Monday and rapidly intensified. By Wednesday, the US National Hurricane Center had downgraded it to category four. Forecasters expect torrential rain along Mexico’s southwest coast, while authorities have closed some ports and schools. A direct landfall is not forecast.
Numbers
- Category 4Polo’s status on Wednesday — After reaching category five
- 180 mphSustained winds recorded Tuesday — Measured by Hurricane Hunter aircraft
- 215 milesSouth of Zihuatanejo on Tuesday — At its category five peak
- Under 24 hoursTime to reach category five — From tropical storm strength
Questions
- Where are warnings in effect?
- A tropical storm warning covers parts of southwest Mexico, while a watch extends west of Playa Perula along the coast.
- What drove the rapid strengthening?
- Forecasters linked Polo’s strength to exceptionally warm Pacific waters associated with El Niño, which supplied energy to the storm.
- What could the rainfall affect?
- Mexico’s weather service forecasts local heavy rain, flooding and landslides in Michoacán, Jalisco and Colima along the affected coast.
- How are residents being warned?
- Police in Acapulco used loudspeakers on beaches and avenues to alert visitors and residents as Polo approached the coast.
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
The catch
Forecasts do not confirm how much rain will fall or whether Polo’s intensity will change again.