By Rishav Kothari
Tuesday, September 22, 2026 16:25 UTC
Hurricane Polo intensified to Category 5 south of southwestern Mexico on September 22, 2026, reaching maximum sustained winds of 260 km/h (160 mph) at 12:00 UTC before strengthening further to 270 km/h (165 mph) by 15:00 UTC, according to the US National Hurricane Center (NHC). A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for part of the southwestern Mexican coast, while heavy rainfall through September 24 threatened life-threatening flooding and mudslides in Guerrero and Michoacán.
Heavy rainfall associated with Polo will impact coastal portions of southwest Mexico through Thursday, September 24. This rainfall may produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain.
A Tropical Storm Warning is now in effect for portions of southwestern Mexico, and the Tropical Storm Watch has been extended westward along the coast.
At 09:00 CST (15:00 UTC) on September 22, Polo’s center was located approximately 335 km (205 miles) south of Zihuatanejo and 555 km (345 miles) south-southeast of Manzanillo. It is the second named storm of the 2026 Eastern Pacific Hurricane season to reach Category 5 Strength after Hurricane Genevieve.
The hurricane was drifting north at 4 km/h (2 mph), with maximum sustained winds of 270 km/h (165 mph) and an estimated minimum central pressure of 920 hPa.
By Rishav Kothari
Tuesday, September 22, 2026 16:25 UTC
Hurricane-force winds extended up to 55 km (35 miles) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds up to 150 km (90 miles). NHC forecast additional strengthening through the night, with fluctuations in intensity possible on September 23.
Mexico issued a Tropical Storm Warning from Tecpan de Galeana to Punta San Telmo and a Tropical Storm Watch from west of Punta San Telmo to Playa Perula.
Tropical-storm conditions were expected in the warning area by early September 23 and were possible in the watch area by September 24. NHC said additional watches or warnings could be required elsewhere along the southwestern Mexican coast.
Polo had stopped moving east and was drifting north at the advisory time.
By Rishav Kothari
Tuesday, September 22, 2026 16:25 UTC
NHC forecast a turn toward the northwest and west-northwest during the night and on September 23.
The core was forecast to move close and roughly parallel to the southwestern Mexican coast while remaining offshore. NHC said uncertainty remained over how close the center would approach and the resulting wind, rain and surf impacts.
NHC forecast 75–150 mm (3–6 inches) of rain, with isolated totals near 200 mm (8 inches), across coastal Guerrero and Michoacán through September 24. The rainfall could produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides, particularly in steep terrain.
Coastal Oaxaca, Colima and Jalisco were forecast to receive 50–100 mm (2–4 inches) over the same period.
Swells generated by Polo were expected to affect parts of southwestern Mexico during the following days, producing life-threatening surf and rip-current conditions.
Michoacán suspended classes on September 22 and 23 at public and private schools of all levels in Aquila, Coahuayana, Chinicuila, Coalcomán, Lázaro Cárdenas, Arteaga and Tumbiscatío.
The state Education Secretariat said the closure followed instructions from the State Civil Protection Coordination. State officials also reported that 19 shelters were prepared for activation if evacuations became necessary and that response teams were monitoring roads, rivers and communities.
Polo was a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h (40 mph) at 03:00 UTC on September 21. Its winds reached 100 km/h (65 mph) by 15:00 UTC and 130 km/h (80 mph) three hours later, when NHC upgraded it to a hurricane.
Sustained winds rose to 175 km/h (110 mph) by 03:00 UTC on September 22, 215 km/h (130 mph) by 06:00 UTC and 240 km/h (150 mph) by 09:00 UTC. Polo reached Category 5 intensity with winds of 260 km/h (160 mph) at 12:00 UTC and strengthened further to 270 km/h (165 mph) by 15:00 UTC.
In its 15:00 UTC discussion, NHC described Polo as a relatively small, symmetrical hurricane with a well-defined eye, deep convection and strong upper-level outflow. Satellite analysis supported the 270 km/h (165 mph) intensity estimate, while a NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft was en route to investigate the storm.
Earlier NHC analysis identified light wind shear, ample deep-layer moisture and sea surface temperatures near 31°C (87.8°F) as favorable for rapid intensification. An Argo float indicated that warm water extended approximately 50–100 m (165–330 feet) below the surface along Polo’s short-term track, limiting cooling from ocean upwelling.
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