CABO SAN LUCAS, Mexico — Hurricane Polo is tracing a precarious path through the Pacific, moving away from Mexico’s coast as a downgraded, yet still formidable, Category 4 storm. As of Saturday afternoon, the hurricane was positioned approximately 330 miles (531 km) southwest of the resort town of Cabo San Lucas, packing maximum sustained winds of 145 mph (233 kph).
The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) confirmed on Saturday that the storm has been downgraded from a Category 5, marking a slight reprieve in its intensity. Currently, the system is tracking northwest at 9 mph. However, authorities remain on high alert as the storm is expected to pivot and make a direct impact on Baja California Sur by Monday.
According to AccuWeather, while Polo remains a powerful weather event, it is forecasted to undergo a gradual weakening process, likely making landfall in Baja California as a Category 2 hurricane. Meteorologists note that the storm’s trajectory is expected to favor sparsely populated regions, though smaller communities—such as Las Barrancas—remain directly in its path.
The threat, however, will not end with the initial landfall. Forecasters warn that 24 hours later, the system is expected to strike the mainland coast of northwestern Mexico. The combination of these two impacts threatens to bring life-threatening flash flooding to a wide swath of regions, including Baja California Sur, Sinaloa, Sonora, and Chihuahua.
The effects of the hurricane are already being felt across Mexico’s Pacific coast. Throughout the week, the storm’s outer bands have spurred widespread evacuations, the forced closure of ports, and the cancellation of school sessions. In San Jose del Cabo, law enforcement officials were forced to cordon off access to popular beaches on Friday as the storm generated hazardous high waves and erratic surf conditions.
The NHC has issued warnings that hurricane conditions could manifest as early as Monday afternoon in the stretch between Punta Eugenia and Santa Fe. The primary concern for residents in the coming days will be extreme precipitation; the storm is projected to dump between 4 and 8 inches of rain across parts of Baja California Sur. In localized areas, rainfall could reach up to 10 inches, creating a high risk for life-threatening mudslides and severe flash flooding.
Beyond the rainfall, coastal residents are being urged to exercise extreme caution regarding dangerous surf and rip currents, which continue to pose a significant threat to life along the coastline. Emergency services in the affected states are currently coordinating with local authorities to prepare for the heavy winds and potential flooding as the region braces for a difficult start to the week.
Disclaimer: This content is auto-generated for informational purposes only.
Source: Read Original News
