Miami – The National Hurricane Center announced Monday that Hurricane Polo is set to strengthen quickly in the Pacific Ocean and become a major hurricane later this week. Forecasters expect the storm to turn sharply toward the west‑northwest or northwest by late Tuesday, moving along the coast of western Mexico while remaining offshore.
Projected impacts for Mexico
Polo is currently centered about 270 miles (435 kilometers) south‑southeast of Manzanillo and 190 miles (306 kilometers) south‑southwest of Zihuatanejo. Maximum sustained winds are reported at 80 mph (129 kph). The agency predicts 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 centimeters) of rain across coastal portions of Guerrero and Michoacán through Thursday, with isolated totals near 12 inches (30 centimeters). Flooding and mudslides are possible as the storm moves inland.
Other tropical systems
In the same basin, Tropical Storm Odalys remains far from land but is expected to reach hurricane strength by mid‑week. Odalys currently has maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (72 kph) and is located roughly 1,400 miles (2,253 kilometers) west‑southwest of the southern tip of Baja California, moving northwest at 12 mph (19 kph).
In the Atlantic, Tropical Storm Fay is weakening, with top winds down to 50 mph (80 kph). Fay sits about 430 miles (692 kilometers) southwest of the Azores. No Atlantic hurricanes have formed this year, marking a record‑long start to the season without a hurricane, a pattern attributed by meteorologists to the current El Niño, which tends to suppress storm development.
Safety recommendations
Residents of coastal communities in Guerrero and Michoacán are urged to monitor local forecasts, secure property, and be prepared for possible evacuations if flooding or mudslides threaten. Authorities in the region have been briefed on the storm’s projected path and are coordinating response efforts.
As the season progresses, the National Hurricane Center will continue to issue updates on Polo, Odalys and any other developing systems, emphasizing the importance of early preparation and adherence to official guidance.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
