Hurricane Polo made landfall in Baja California, Mexico, late Monday, unleashing life-threatening winds and dangerous flash flooding, the National Hurricane Center said. It hit as a powerful Category 3 storm and is expected to retain the same intensity as it crosses the state of Baja California Sur. The storm is predicted to bring 6 to 12 inches of rainfall to parts of the Mexican state. It is carrying sustained winds of 110 mph and a minimum central pressure of 965mb.&nbsp;After crossing the Baja Peninsula, it will make a second landfall in Sonora. It is forecast to bring up to 8 inches of rainfall in southern and central portions of this region of Mexico. The moisture it picked up will also bring heavy rains into the southern United States.&nbsp;&nbsp;The hurricane was in the news not only for being the first storm in the Pacific of the 2026 season, but for being one of the quickest storms to strengthen in the western region of the ocean. Even before it touched land, Polo brought high tides and flooding to some coastal areas. Authorities had told people to seek shelter as the storm approached the Mexican state. Polo's strength could also spawn swells on the beaches of Southern California.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hurricane-polo-category-5-record-storm-in-pacific-mexico-1790146836779">Hurricane Polo becomes 'strongest' Cat 5 in Pacific overnight. What you need to know</a><h2>Polo turned into a dangerous Category 5 storm overnight</h2>Hurricane Polo formed on September 21 and exploded into an "extremely dangerous" Category 5 storm in less than 24 hours. It packed maximum sustained winds of 265 kmph and was earlier expected to move past Mexico's southwestern coast as a Category 5 storm. Satellite images showed that the storm was nearly stationary, with strong lightning seen at its eye. The storm's exact path remained uncertain initially, with forecasts stating it could either loop around or travel across northwestern Mexico.&nbsp;The storm has been fuelled by El Niño, the weather phenomenon that heated the Pacific Ocean, which helped form the hurricane and push it to intensify quickly.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Hurricane Polo makes landfall in Mexico: The storm hit the state of Baja California Sur as a strong Category 3 storm late Monday. It is forecast to bring 6 to 12 inches of rainfall to the region. Follow LIVE

Hurricane Polo made landfall in Baja California, Mexico, late Monday, unleashing life-threatening winds and dangerous flash flooding, the National Hurricane Center said. It hit as a powerful Category 3 storm and is expected to retain the same intensity as it crosses the state of Baja California Sur. The storm is predicted to bring 6 to 12 inches of rainfall to parts of the Mexican state. It is carrying sustained winds of 110 mph and a minimum central pressure of 965mb. After crossing the Baja Peninsula, it will make a second landfall in Sonora. It is forecast to bring up to 8 inches of rainfall in southern and central portions of this region of Mexico. The moisture it picked up will also bring heavy rains into the southern United States. The hurricane was in the news not only for being the first storm in the Pacific of the 2026 season, but for being one of the quickest storms to strengthen in the western region of the ocean. Even before it touched land, Polo brought high tides and flooding to some coastal areas. Authorities had told people to seek shelter as the storm approached the Mexican state. Polo's strength could also spawn swells on the beaches of Southern California. Also Read: Hurricane Polo becomes 'strongest' Cat 5 in Pacific overnight. What you need to know Polo turned into a dangerous Category 5 storm overnight Hurricane Polo formed on September 21 and exploded into an "extremely dangerous" Category 5 storm in less than 24 hours. It packed maximum sustained winds of 265 kmph and was earlier expected to move past Mexico's southwestern coast as a Category 5 storm. Satellite images showed that the storm was nearly stationary, with strong lightning seen at its eye. The storm's exact path remained uncertain initially, with forecasts stating it could either loop around or travel across northwestern Mexico. The storm has been fuelled by El Niño, the weather phenomenon that heated the Pacific Ocean, which helped form the hurricane and push it to intensify quickly.

Hurricane Polo makes landfall in Mexico: The storm hit the state of Baja California Sur as a strong Category 3 storm late Monday. It is forecast to bring 6 to 12 inches of rainfall to the region. Follow LIVE

Hurricane Polo makes landfall in Mexico as a strong Category 3 storm

Hurricane Polo has grown into one of the most powerful Pacific cyclones in decades, threatening Mexico's Pacific coast as an "extremely dangerous" storm. Forecasters say Polo is expected to skirt the coast rather than make direct landfall, but Guerrero, Michoacán, Colima and Jalisco face heavy rain risk, while Baja California Sur braces for storm surge and strong winds. We break down the storm's path and what residents need to know. Watch the full update.


Hurricane Polo: One of the strongest Pacific storms ever, threatens Mexico's coast 

Hurricane Polo has quickly intensified to become the strongest storm recorded in the eastern Pacific Ocean in decades. It exploded into an "extremely dangerous" Category 5 storm on Tuesday, less than 24 hours after it became a hurricane. The National Hurricane Center said it has maximum sustained winds of 265 kmph. It is expected to brush past Mexico's southwestern coast as a Category 5 storm and is currently 338 kilometres south of Zihuatanejo.&nbsp;Satellite images show extreme lightning around its eye, which is nearly stationary, with wind gusts reaching up to 356 kmph in the eyewall. The Category 5 storm is barely moving, which means it will continue to pull huge amounts of water. It intensified almost overnight, at the fastest rate ever observed in the Eastern Pacific.<h2>Path of Hurricane Polo</h2> The storm's exact path remains unknown. Computer models show that it could either stall or loop, and even travel across northwestern Mexico. It could also bring dangerous conditions to the Baja Peninsula and western Mexico early next week. Remnant moisture from the system will push upwards towards the US in the next 10 days.&nbsp;Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Polo will not touch land, according to forecasts. However, people are staying away from beaches amid choppy seas. Several regions also suspended classes on Tuesday. Ports were shut down in the states of Guerrero and Michoacán, where 3 to 6 inches of rain can be expected. Heavy rains can trigger flash floods and mudslides. Fishermen have also been told to remain alert.<h2>How did Hurricane Polo intensify so quickly?</h2> The rapid intensification is clearly the result of El Niño, the weather phenomenon that brought droughts in Mexico and Central America. Surface ocean temperatures were 3.05 degrees Celsius above average in the Pacific on September 19. This creates the perfect conditions for hurricanes and typhoons. Meanwhile, the Atlantic has been without a major hurricane this season, the exact opposite effect of El Niño in the region.<h2>Hurricane Polo has already set and broken several records</h2>&nbsp;The hurricane is the strongest in the eastern Pacific in decades. National Hurricane Center data shows that only a few storms compare to Polo's speeds, one of which was Hurricane Patricia that formed in 2015 with wind speeds of 346 kmph. The last storm to intensify this quickly was &nbsp;Hurricane Otis in 2023, which brought widespread destruction in Acapulco, Mexico.&nbsp;With wind speeds of 265 kmph, Polo is tied with Hurricane Rick from 2009 for the third-highest winds ever recorded in the Pacific. It also has the fourth-highest wind speed of any hurricane worldwide.&nbsp;Hurricane Polo has also recorded the second-lowest pressure ever observed in the Pacific, with Hurricane Patricia ahead of it. The central pressure fell to 892 millibars, with only nine hurricanes of 1,088 recording pressures below 900 millibars since 1950. Hurricane Polo is the third Category 5 hurricane in the Eastern and Central Pacific this season, with Genevieve and Lowell being the other two.

Hurricane Polo has shocked meteorologists by turning into a Category 5 storm within 24 hours of forming. It is now the most powerful storm recorded in the eastern Pacific. Its central pressure below 900 has only been seen in nine hurricanes in 76 years.

Hurricane Polo has quickly intensified to become the strongest storm recorded in the eastern Pacific Ocean in decades. It exploded into an "extremely dangerous" Category 5 storm on Tuesday, less than 24 hours after it became a hurricane. The National Hurricane Center said it has maximum sustained winds of 265 kmph. It is expected to brush past Mexico's southwestern coast as a Category 5 storm and is currently 338 kilometres south of Zihuatanejo. Satellite images show extreme lightning around its eye, which is nearly stationary, with wind gusts reaching up to 356 kmph in the eyewall. The Category 5 storm is barely moving, which means it will continue to pull huge amounts of water. It intensified almost overnight, at the fastest rate ever observed in the Eastern Pacific. Path of Hurricane Polo The storm's exact path remains unknown. Computer models show that it could either stall or loop, and even travel across northwestern Mexico. It could also bring dangerous conditions to the Baja Peninsula and western Mexico early next week. Remnant moisture from the system will push upwards towards the US in the next 10 days. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Polo will not touch land, according to forecasts. However, people are staying away from beaches amid choppy seas. Several regions also suspended classes on Tuesday. Ports were shut down in the states of Guerrero and Michoacán, where 3 to 6 inches of rain can be expected. Heavy rains can trigger flash floods and mudslides. Fishermen have also been told to remain alert. How did Hurricane Polo intensify so quickly? The rapid intensification is clearly the result of El Niño, the weather phenomenon that brought droughts in Mexico and Central America. Surface ocean temperatures were 3.05 degrees Celsius above average in the Pacific on September 19. This creates the perfect conditions for hurricanes and typhoons. Meanwhile, the Atlantic has been without a major hurricane this season, the exact opposite effect of El Niño in the region. Hurricane Polo has already set and broken several records The hurricane is the strongest in the eastern Pacific in decades. National Hurricane Center data shows that only a few storms compare to Polo's speeds, one of which was Hurricane Patricia that formed in 2015 with wind speeds of 346 kmph. The last storm to intensify this quickly was Hurricane Otis in 2023, which brought widespread destruction in Acapulco, Mexico. With wind speeds of 265 kmph, Polo is tied with Hurricane Rick from 2009 for the third-highest winds ever recorded in the Pacific. It also has the fourth-highest wind speed of any hurricane worldwide. Hurricane Polo has also recorded the second-lowest pressure ever observed in the Pacific, with Hurricane Patricia ahead of it. The central pressure fell to 892 millibars, with only nine hurricanes of 1,088 recording pressures below 900 millibars since 1950. Hurricane Polo is the third Category 5 hurricane in the Eastern and Central Pacific this season, with Genevieve and Lowell being the other two.

Hurricane Polo has shocked meteorologists by turning into a Category 5 storm within 24 hours of forming. It is now the most powerful storm recorded in the eastern Pacific. Its central pressure below 900 has only been seen in nine hurricanes in 76 years.

Hurricane Polo becomes 'strongest' Cat 5 in Pacific overnight. What you need to know

hurricane-polo

Hurricane Polo, News on Hurricane Polo, stories on Hurricane Polo, articles on Hurricane Polo, Hurricane Polo stories at Wion, Hurricane Polo news, Hurricane Polo latest news

hurricane polo

Hurricane Polo makes landfall in Mexico as a strong Category 3 storm

Hurricane Polo: One of the strongest Pacific storms ever, threatens Mexico's coast

Historic storm in Pacific: Hurricane Polo becomes Cat 5 overnight