Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Hurricane Polo Brings Dangerous Surf and Rain to Mexico
Hurricane Polo was a very powerful storm moving northwest near Mexico.
It had winds of about 160 miles per hour.
Its outer rainbands were bringing heavy rain to the southwestern coast.
Guerrero could receive several inches of rain, and some places could get even more.
The rain may cause dangerous flooding and mudslides.
Large waves and strong currents could also threaten people near the shore.
Polo was expected to stay offshore of Mexico on Thursday.
It was forecast to move farther out to sea before approaching the Baja California Peninsula early the following week.
Hurricane Polo was a Category 5 storm with maximum sustained winds near 160 mph.
Polo’s outer rainbands brought heavy rain and tropical-storm-force winds to southwestern Mexico.
Coastal Guerrero was expected to receive 4 to 6 inches of rain, with isolated totals up to 8 inches.
The rain could trigger life-threatening flooding and mudslides in coastal areas.
Polo was forecast to remain offshore, move farther out to sea, and approach the Baja California Peninsula early the following week.
- Who
- Hurricane Polo and residents of southwestern Mexico’s coastal areas were involved.
- What
- A Category 5 hurricane brought heavy rain, dangerous surf, strong winds, and risks of flooding and mudslides.
- When
- Thursday, September 24; impacts were expected through Thursday and over the following couple of days.
- Where
- Offshore of southwestern Mexico, including Guerrero, Michoacan, Colima, and Jalisco; Polo was later expected to approach the Baja California Peninsula.
- Why
- Polo’s outer rainbands and storm-generated swells were affecting the coast as the hurricane tracked northwest offshore.
- Storm strength
- Category 5 hurricane
- Maximum sustained winds
- Near 160 mph (260 kph)
- Rainfall forecast
- 4 to 6 inches in coastal Guerrero, with isolated totals up to 8 inches
- Wind extent
- Hurricane-force winds up to 40 miles from the center; tropical-storm-force winds up to 125 miles
- Primary hazards
- Life-threatening flooding, mudslides, surf, rip currents, and coastal flooding
- Expected track
- Remain offshore of southwestern Mexico, then move farther out to sea and approach the Baja California Peninsula early the following week