Hurricane Polo has rapidly strengthened into a Category 5 storm in the Pacific Ocean near the southwestern coast of Mexico, according to the National Hurricane Center. Forecasters described the system as “extremely dangerous” on Tuesday after maximum sustained winds climbed to 180 mph. The storm is expected to maintain or increase its intensity through Wednesday.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Polo was positioned near the coastal resort cities of Zihuatanejo in Guerrero and Manzanillo in Colima. The system was moving slowly northward along the coast before becoming nearly stationary, with hurricane-force winds extending up to 35 miles from the center.
The National Hurricane Center issued warnings that heavy rainfall could trigger life-threatening flooding and mudslides, particularly in regions with steep terrain. While Polo remains well south of the Baja California peninsula, the Mexican government has activated tropical storm warnings for a stretch of coastline running from Tecpan de Galeana in Guerrero to Punta San Telmo in Michoacán. A tropical storm watch is also in effect from Punta San Telmo to Playa Perula in Jalisco.
Officials advised that residents under the warning should anticipate tropical storm conditions by early Wednesday, while those in the watch area may see conditions develop by Thursday.
Meteorologists forecast that Polo will continue its current trajectory before executing a sharp turn toward the northwest later Tuesday night and on Wednesday. This movement is expected to bring the storm’s core closer to the southwestern Mexican coast in the coming days. Rainfall totals of 4 to 8 inches are projected for parts of Guerrero and Michoacán through Thursday, with isolated areas potentially seeing up to 8 inches. Coastal portions of Oaxaca, Colima, and Jalisco could receive between 2 and 4 inches of rain.
In addition to precipitation risks, the storm is expected to generate hazardous surf conditions and dangerous rip currents along the southwestern coastline.
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180 mph winds are terrifying. I hope the evacuation orders are clear and people actually follow them this time.
Another major hurricane season seems to be the new normal. We need better infrastructure, not just warnings.
I live in Zihuatanejo and the wind is picking up already. Stay inside and don’t risk the streets.
Category 5 this close to shore is alarming. Does anyone know if emergency shelters are actually prepared for mudslides?
Hoping everyone in those coastal towns stays safe. The rainfall predictions are genuinely scary for that terrain.