Hurricane Polo regained Category 5 strength Thursday as it churned off southwestern Mexico, threatening coastal communities with torrential rain, powerful wind gusts and dangerous surf even as forecasters expected its center to remain offshore.
Mexico’s National Meteorological Service confirmed that Polo had returned to the highest category on the Saffir-Simpson scale after fluctuating in strength during its slow movement near the Pacific coast.
The compact hurricane underwent extraordinary rapid intensification earlier this week. Polo strengthened from a 50-mph tropical storm Monday morning into a Category 5 hurricane with 160-mph winds roughly 24 hours later. Aircraft measurements indicated its peak winds briefly reached about 180 mph Tuesday.
The hurricane’s projected track placed its core south of Mexico’s coastline before a gradual movement toward the northwest. Forecasters warned that even a small shift toward land could substantially increase the threat from destructive winds, flooding and coastal damage.
Polo’s circulation was already pulling deep tropical moisture across several Mexican states. Mexico’s weather service forecast intense rainfall across Jalisco, Colima, Michoacan and Guerrero, with very heavy rain also possible in southern and coastal Nayarit.
Rainfall could raise rivers and streams, produce flash flooding and trigger landslides in mountainous communities. AccuWeather projected widespread totals of 4 to 8 inches along parts of the coast, with isolated accumulations potentially reaching 18 inches in the hardest-hit locations.
Officials also expected damaging winds along exposed coastal areas. Mexico’s weather service forecast gusts of approximately 50 to 55 mph along portions of Jalisco, Colima and Michoacan, while AccuWeather said localized gusts near 100 mph could occur depending on Polo’s track.
Large waves presented another significant threat. Official Mexican forecasts called for seas of roughly 13 to 20 feet along parts of the central Pacific coast. Near Polo’s center, waves were estimated at 30 to 45 feet, with powerful swells expected to spread far beyond the hurricane.
Forecasters said breakers reaching 15 to 20 feet could strike beaches with gradually sloping shorelines, creating the potential for overwash and property damage. Small vessels were urged to avoid dangerous offshore conditions.
Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas could experience periods of heavy rain, strong gusts and hazardous surf as Polo moves through the region. Communities in Guerrero, Michoacan, Colima and Jalisco faced the more immediate danger from flooding and landslides.
Mexican authorities suspended classes in several affected areas and urged residents to stay away from flooded roads, secure loose outdoor objects and identify routes to higher ground. Polo remained offshore, but its rainbands extended well inland, per Trending Politics.
The storm’s longer-term path remained uncertain. AccuWeather said Polo could eventually turn farther north, potentially sending tropical moisture into parts of the southwestern US next week and increasing the chance of heavy showers and thunderstorms.
Forecast changes will determine whether Polo remains primarily an offshore danger or brings more severe conditions directly onto land. For now, flooding rain and destructive surf remain the principal threats along Mexico’s Pacific coast.
