Hurricane Polo intensified from a tropical storm into a category 5 hurricane in fewer than 24 hours off Mexico's south-west coast, with sustained winds of 165mph, the Guardian reported. It is currently considered unlikely to directly hit Mexico.
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Key facts
- Hurricane Polo reached category 5 status in fewer than 24 hours.
- Maximum sustained winds measured 165mph (266km/h) on Tuesday.
- The storm's centre was about 215 miles (346km) south of Zihuatanejo, in Guerrero state.
- The Guardian reported the rapid intensification was fuelled by stronger than usual El Niño weather patterns in the Pacific.
- Polo is currently considered unlikely to directly hit Mexico.
A tropical storm off the south-west coast of Mexico has intensified into a category 5 hurricane in fewer than 24 hours, according to the Guardian. The Guardian reported the rapid strengthening was fuelled by stronger than usual El Niño weather patterns in the Pacific Ocean.
Hurricane Polo was sending out maximum sustained winds of 165mph (266km/h) on Tuesday, the Guardian reported. Those wind speeds place the storm in the category 5 range, the highest classification on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
The storm’s centre was churning about 215 miles (346km) south of the coastal city of Zihuatanejo, in Guerrero state, as of Tuesday, according to the Guardian. Despite its strength, the hurricane is currently unlikely to directly hit Mexico, the outlet reported.
The Guardian attributed the speed at which Polo grew from a tropical storm to a category 5 hurricane to stronger than usual El Niño conditions in the region.
Why it matters
Rapidly intensifying hurricanes can give communities less time to prepare, raising the stakes for coastal areas even when a direct hit is not expected.
Frequently asked questions
How strong is Hurricane Polo?
Hurricane Polo had maximum sustained winds of 165mph (266km/h) on Tuesday, making it a category 5 hurricane, according to the Guardian.
Will Hurricane Polo hit Mexico?
The storm is currently unlikely to directly hit Mexico, according to the Guardian, though its center was churning about 215 miles south of Zihuatanejo in Guerrero state.
Why did Hurricane Polo intensify so quickly?
The Guardian reports the storm strengthened from a tropical storm into a category 5 hurricane in fewer than 24 hours, fueled by stronger than usual El Niño weather patterns in the Pacific Ocean.
Timeline
- Mexico braces for Hurricane Polo gathering strength
Al Jazeera: Hurricane Polo, one of the strongest Pacific cyclones in decades, brought dangerous waves and heavy rain to Mexico.
- Hurricane Polo downgraded but remains 'very powerful' off coast of Mexico
BBC World: The large storm in the Pacific Ocean is being driven by warm waters caused by the El Niño weather phenomenon.
- Hurricane Polo intensifies into rare category 5 storm off the coast of Mexico
BBC World: The storm's sudden intensification is "truly remarkable", the US hurricane monitoring agency said.
- Hurricane Polo, rapidly intensifying from strong El Niño patterns, rages off coast of Mexico
The Guardian World: Polo, with sustained winds of 165mph, is churning 215 miles south of Zihuatanejo but is unlikely to directly hit Mexico A tropical storm off the south-west coast of Mexico has intensified into a category 5 monster in fewer than 24 hours, fueled by stronger than usual El Niño weat