Hurricane Polo grows into a Category 4 storm in the Pacific off Mexico
Hurricane Polo intensified to Category 4 with winds around 130 mph and was forecast to stay offshore as it turns northwest, brushing southwestern Mexico rather than making landfall. The storm threatened heavy rain, potential flooding and landslides across Guerrero and Michoacán while a tropical-storm-watch was issued along a stretch of the Pacific coast. Forecasters suggested Polo could further strengthen toward Category 5 in coming days. The Atlantic has seen no hurricanes yet this year, contributing to a record slow start linked to El Niño effects, while other Pacific activity includes Odalys possibly becoming a hurricane and Fay weakening to a remnant low.
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Polo was located about 330 miles (530 kilometers) south-southeast of Manzanillo and moving east-southeast at roughly 5 mph (7 kph) before turning northwest and west-northwest.
Maximum sustained winds reached 130 mph (215 kph), elevating Polo to Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson scale, with a forecast that it could intensify further toward Category 5 within 24–48 hours.
A tropical-storm watch covered the coast from Manzanillo in Colima to Tecpan de Galeana in Guerrero, signaling possible tropical-storm conditions within two days.
Heavy rain and the risk of flooding and landslides were forecast for coastal Guerrero and Michoacán through Thursday, with lighter showers expected in Oaxaca, Colima and Jalisco.
Farther west, Tropical Storm Odalys was distant from land but anticipated to become a hurricane by midweek, adding to Pacific system activity.
In the Atlantic, Tropical Storm Fay weakened to 40 mph and was expected to become a remnant low by late Tuesday, continuing a record-long hurricane-free start to the season.
The broader context points to El Niño suppressing early Atlantic activity while influencing Pacific storm behavior and potential landfall risks along the Mexican coast.