Hurricane Polo has rapidly intensified off the coast of Mexico, becoming one of the most powerful storms of the season in the Pacific Ocean. A Hurricane Hunter aircraft recorded sustained wind speeds near 180 mph (285 km/h) with stronger gusts on Tuesday.
The US National Hurricane Center, based in Miami, called the storm "extremely dangerous" and noted its intensification over 24 hours was "truly remarkable." Polo is the season's third Category 5 storm, the highest level on the Saffir-Simpson scale, and is being fuelled by extremely warm waters linked to the El Niño climate phenomenon.
The slow-moving storm is predicted to skirt the coast of south-western Mexico and is not expected to make landfall, according to a warning from NOAA. However, as it drifts northwest, Polo is expected to bring torrential rainfall to parts of Mexico's south-west coast, which could lead to deadly flooding and mudslides. Rainfall totals of up to 6in (15cm) are forecast, with 8in possible in some areas. Residents have also been warned of large ocean swells and life-threatening surf conditions for the next few days.
Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum stated on Tuesday that information suggests Polo will not make a direct landfall, but urged residents along the Pacific coast to be vigilant, highlighting Jalisco, Colima, and Michoacan states as being at risk. Data from the Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicates Polo could still strengthen and is likely to remain a Category 5 storm for the next few days due to "very conducive" extremely warm ocean waters.