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Hurricane Polo

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For other storms of the same name, see List of storms named Polo.
Hurricane Polo
Polo at peak intensity offshore southwestern Mexico on September 22
Meteorological history
FormedSeptember 20, 2026
Category 5 major hurricane
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds180 mph (285 km/h)
Lowest pressure892 mbar (hPa); 26.34 inHg
(Second-most intense in Eastern Pacific)
Overall effects
DamageUnknown
Areas affectedSouthwestern Mexico
Part of the 2026 Pacific hurricane season

Hurricane Polo is a large and very powerful tropical cyclone off the Pacific coast of Mexico. The eighteenth named storm, seventh hurricane, fifth major hurricane, and record-tying third Category 5 hurricane of the 2026 Pacific hurricane season, Polo formed on September 20 and explosively intensified into a Category 5 hurricane by September 22. With a central pressure of 892 mbar (26.34 inHg), it is the second-most intense Pacific hurricane by central pressure ever recorded, after only Hurricane Patricia.

Due to the proximity of the hurricane to Mexico, watches and warnings have been issued for a sizable stretch of the coastline. The ports of Acapulco, Lázaro Cárdenas, Puerto Marqués and Zihuatanejo were closed to shipping on September 21, and classes were suspended in coastal regions of the states of Guerrero and Michoacán.

Meteorological history

[edit]
Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key
Saffir–Simpson scale
  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown
Storm type
triangle Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

During mid-September 2026, an area of investigation was spotted by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) located to the south of Mexico. The disturbance then gradually organized in the following days, becoming designated as Invest 99E as a result. The NHC then increased its formation chances to 90% by September 19. The area of low pressure eventually became a tropical depression on September 20 at 21:00 UTC, gaining the designation Tropical Depression Seventeen-E as satellite observations indicated that the system had increased its organized convective banding, with a defined circulation being visible as well.[1] The next day, the NHC upgraded the system to a tropical storm and assigned the name Polo, as the storm entered a more favorable environment for intensification, with 31 °C (88 °F) waters off the coast of Mexico and only limited wind shear being observed.[2] It was noted at this time that conditions were extremely favorable for rapid intensification, with the HCCA corrected-consensus aid showing "at least a 99th percentile event for intensification."[2] Shortly thereafter, at 18:00 UTC on September 21, the NHC upgraded Polo to hurricane status based on data collected via aircraft recon.[3]

Lightning in Hurricane Polo

Intensification was thereafter briefly slowed by an eyewall replacement cycle, which completed before the storm strengthened into a strong Category 2 hurricane at 3:00 UTC on September 22.[4] Explosive intensification then resumed, and Polo became the season's third Category 5 hurricane by 12:00 UTC of the following day, September 22,[5] tying the 1994 record set by that date.[6] The winds increased by 110 mph (175 km/h) in a 24-hour period, one of the fastest rapid intensifications on record.[7] Only a few hours after reaching Category 5 strength, Polo was revealed by Hurricane Hunters to have a pressure of 892 mbar (26.34 inHg) and winds of 180 mph (285 km/h),[8] making Polo the second-most intense Pacific hurricane by central pressure (after only Hurricane Patricia) and tied with Hurricane Rick as the third-strongest by maximum sustained winds, after Patricia and Linda. It is also tied with the 1935 Labor Day hurricane and Hurricane Melissa for the fourth-most intense hurricane in the Western Hemisphere by central pressure.

After peak intensity, Polo began to weaken in response to another eyewall replacement cycle.[9] It weakened below Category 5 intensity by 9:00 UTC on September 23,[10] with its winds decreasing to 145 mph (230 km/h) by 18:00 UTC.[11] However, the completion of the eyewall replacement cycle[12] allowed it to restrengthen, and it regained Category 5 intensity by 00:40 UTC the following day,[13] becoming one of only four Pacific hurricanes to reach Category 5 intensity more than once, only three weeks after Hurricane Lowell achieved the same feat.

Preparations

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On September 21, a tropical storm watch was issued for the Mexican Pacific coast from Tecpan de Galeana, Guerrero, to Manzanillo, Colima.[14] The following day, it was upgraded to a tropical storm warning for the stretch from Tecpan de Galeana to Punta San Telmo, Michoacán, and the watch was extended west to Playa Perula, Jalisco.[15] A yellow alert was also issued for Acapulco.[16] Red flags were flown on Acapulco's beaches.[16]

CONAGUA readied 21 emergency care centers, 717 brigade units, and 865 teams for disaster management.[17] Temporary shelters with capacity for 200 people opened in Zihuatanejo.[18] There were 64 shelters in Acapulco, Costa Grande, and Costa Chica.[16] The ports of Acapulco, Lázaro Cárdenas, Puerto Marqués and Zihuatanejo were closed to shipping on September 21. The Port of Acapulco also closed to small vessels, including fishing boats, tourist excursions, and yachts.[19] Two days later, the port of Cabo San Lucas in Baja California Sur closed to small vessels.[20] Classes were suspended in coastal regions of the states of Guerrero and Michoacán.[21][22] For September 23, virtual classes were held in Guerrero.[16] The University of Guadalajara also suspended classes.[23] Public transportation in coastal Michoacán was cancelled.[24] Plan DN-III-E was activated.[25]

Impact

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Most intense Pacific hurricanes[26]
Rank Hurricane Season Pressure
hPa inHg
1 Patricia 2015 872 25.75
2 Polo 2026 892 26.34
3 Linda 1997 902 26.64
4 Rick 2009 906 26.76
5 Kenna 2002 913 26.96
6 Ava 1973 915 27.02
Ioke 2006
8 Marie 2014 918 27.11
Odile
10 Guillermo 1997 919 27.14
Listing is only for tropical cyclones in the Pacific Ocean
north of the equator and east of the International Dateline

Guerrero

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A few days prior to Polo's formation, several communities in Guerrero experienced severe flooding from the system's precursor, including Zihuatanejo.[17] In Zihuatanejo, heavy rainfall from Polo caused flooding and property damage. At least five vehicles were flooded, and several homes were damaged.[27] In the seas around Acapulco, wave heights of between seven and eight metres (23 and 26 ft) were recorded.[28]

Baja California Peninsula

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As of September 23, 2026, seventeen flights have been delayed at Cabo San Lucas International Airport as a result of Polo.[29]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ Pasch, Richard. "Tropical Depression Seventeen-E Discussion Number 1". National Hurricane Center. Miami, Florida. Archived from the original on 2026-09-20. Retrieved 2026-09-20.
  2. 1 2 Blake, Eric (2026-09-21). "Tropical Storm Polo Discussion Number 4". National Hurricane Center. Miami, Florida. Retrieved 2026-09-21.
  3. ↑ "Hurricane Polo Intermediate Advisory Number 4A". nhc.noaa.gov. 2026-09-21. Retrieved 2026-09-22.
  4. ↑ "Hurricane Polo Discussion Number 6". nhc.noaa.gov. 2026-09-21. Retrieved 2026-09-22.
  5. ↑ Pasch, Richard (September 22, 2026). "Hurricane Polo Intermediate Advisory Number 7A". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2026-09-22.
  6. ↑ Klotzbach, Philip [@philklotzbach] (22 September 2026). "Polo has rapidly intensified into a Category 5 hurricane—the third of the 2026 eastern North Pacific season (to 180°W), joining Genevieve and Lowell. With three Category 5 hurricanes, 2026 ties 1994 (Emilia, Gilma and John) for the most such storms in the Eastern Pacific on record by September 22" (Tweet). Retrieved 22 September 2026 – via X (formerly Twitter).{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ↑ Dolce, Chris (September 22, 2026). "Hurricane Polo explodes into rare Category 5 monster after feasting on hot El Niño water". CNN. Retrieved 2026-09-22.
  8. ↑ Pasch, Richard; Hagen, Andrew (September 22, 2026). "Hurricane Polo Tropical Cyclone Update". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 22, 2026.
  9. ↑ Papin, Philippe (September 22, 2026). "Hurricane Polo Discussion Number 10". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 22, 2026.
  10. ↑ Cangiolosi, John (September 23, 2026). "Hurricane Polo Discussion Number 11". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 23, 2026.
  11. ↑ Beven, Jack (September 23, 2026). "Hurricane Polo Intermediate Advisory Number 12A". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 23, 2026.
  12. ↑ Beven, Jack (September 23, 2026). "Hurricane Polo Discussion Number 13". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 23, 2026.
  13. ↑ Reinhart, Brad (September 24, 2026). "Hurricane Polo Tropical Cyclone Update". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 23, 2026.
  14. ↑ Cangialosi, John (September 21, 2026). "Tropical Storm Polo Public Advisory Number 3". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2026-09-22.
  15. ↑ Pasch, Richard (September 22, 2026). "Hurricane Polo Public Advisory Number 8". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 22, 2026.
  16. 1 2 3 4 Navarrette Fernández, Alina; Chávez, Lourdes; Escobar, Brenda; Harrison, Aurora; Morales Antonio, Jacob (2026-09-23). "Catalogan al huracán Polo como "extremadamente peligroso"; sigue en el mar". El Sur Acapulco (in Spanish). Retrieved 2026-09-23.
  17. 1 2 Chávez, Lourdes; Escobar, Brenda (2026-09-21). "Se forma la tormenta tropical Polo; se prevé rápida intensificación a huracán frente a Guerrero". El Sur Acapulco (in Spanish). Retrieved 2026-09-21.
  18. ↑ Candejas, Rogelio (2026-09-22). "Habilitan refugio temporal en Conalep de Zihuatanejo por huracán Polo". Quadratín Guerrero (in Spanish). Retrieved 2026-09-22.
  19. ↑ Vargas, Michel (2026-09-21). "Cierra Capitanía de Puerto la navegación por paso del huracán "Polo" cerca de las costas guerrerenses". El Sol de Chilpancingo (in Spanish). Retrieved 2026-09-22.
  20. ↑ "Hurricane Polo Will Approach Cabo As A Category 3: Port Closure Announced". Cabo Sun. 2026-09-23. Retrieved 2026-09-23.
  21. ↑ "Huracán Polo se intensifica a categoría 2: autoridades piden a la población permanecer alerta". Infobae. 21 September 2026.
  22. ↑ "Refuerzan prevención en Guerrero ante evolución del huracán Polo". El Sol de Chilpancingo (in Spanish). 2026-09-21. Retrieved 2026-09-22.
  23. ↑ Bobadilla, Ruby (2026-09-22). "Huracán Polo: UdeG suspende actividades en planteles de cuatro regiones de Jalisco". El Informador (in Spanish). Retrieved 2026-09-23.
  24. ↑ "Suspenden actividades comerciales y de transporte en la Costa por Polo". Quadratín Michoacán (in Spanish). 2026-09-23. Retrieved 2026-09-23.
  25. ↑ "Activan Plan DN-III-E en 5 estados por huracán "Polo"". El Sol de Chilpancingo (in Spanish). 2026-09-22. Retrieved 2026-09-23.
  26. ↑ National Hurricane Center; Hurricane Research Division; Central Pacific Hurricane Center (April 26, 2024). "The Northeast and North Central Pacific hurricane database 1949–2023". United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service. Archived from the original on May 29, 2024. A guide on how to read the database is available here. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  27. ↑ "Polo se intensificó a huracán categoría 1 y provoca inundaciones en Zihuatanejo". El Sol de Acapulco (in Spanish). OEM. Retrieved 2026-09-22.
  28. ↑ Vargas, Michel (2026-09-23). "Refuerzan vigilancia en playas de Acapulco por fuerte oleaje del huracán Polo". El Sol de Chilpancingo (in Spanish). Retrieved 2026-09-23.
  29. ↑ "What to Know About Los Cabos Flight Delays and Airline Rebooking Policies Amid Hurricane Polo". Cabo Sun. 2026-09-23. Retrieved 2026-09-23.
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