Travel Alert Issued for Americans as Hurricane Polo Bears Down on Mexico - Newsweek

The U.S. Department of State Consular Affairs has issued a weather alert as Hurricane Polo continues to strengthen in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

The alert comes as Hurricane Polo is a Category 5 major hurricane as of Tuesday afternoon with maximum sustained wind speeds of 180 mph. The storm underwent rapid intensification and is 215 miles south of Zihuatanejo, Mexico, as of the most recent update from the National Hurricane Center (NHC). While current forecasts do not show the storm making landfall at least through Sunday, tropical storm warnings are in effect across the region, with the storm expected to cause wind, rain, and surf impacts over the next few days.

On Tuesday afternoon, the U.S. Department of State Consular Affairs issued a weather alert for the area, warning that Baja California could begin to experience impacts this weekend.

"Mexico: Hurricane Polo, a Category 5 storm with sustained winds of 165 miles per hour, will cause heavy rainfall and hazardous ocean conditions along the southwestern coast of Mexico from Tuesday through Thursday," the post on X said. "Hurricane Polo is projected to approach the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula on Saturday September 26 or Sunday September 27. Heavy rain may produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides. Hazardous ocean conditions may result in deadly rip currents and rogue waves. Avoid entering the water or walking on beaches during dangerous conditions, heed warnings from local authorities, and monitor official weather updates closely."

The alert comes as Hurricane Polo became the second strongest hurricane on record for the eastern Pacific basin on Tuesday after its pressure dropped below 890 millibars. A storm with a lower millibar pressure is stronger than one with a higher pressure.

"Hurricane Polo is now the second strongest hurricane EVER recorded in the eastern Pacific! It's air pressure is BELOW 890 MILLIBARS! That's virtually unheard of!" MyRadar Weather posted on X on Tuesday.

In addition to the low pressure, the storm's eye was around 29 degrees warmer than the surrounding atmosphere.

The strongest storm on record for the eastern Pacific basin is Hurricane Patricia, which formed in 2015. That storm dropped to 872 millibars and had maximum sustained winds of 215 mph. The storm directly caused two deaths, the NHC said in a report.

It remains to be seen if Hurricane Polo will beat Patricia for the strongest storm in the eastern Pacific basin. Newsweek reached out to the NHC by email on Tuesday afternoon for comment. However, Hurricane Polo is expected to undergo additional strengthening, according to the NHC update.

"Some additional strengthening is possible tonight, with fluctuations in strength possible Wednesday and Wednesday night," the update said.

Hurricane Polo is a Category 5 storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale, which measures hurricane strength based on wind speeds.

A major hurricane is when a storm reaches Category 3 wind speeds or higher.

The NHC warned that heavy rain would be possible in Guerrero and Michoacán, Mexico, through Thursday. Tropical storm winds could reach Mexico by early Wednesday. Looking ahead, Polo appears to stay offshore through Sunday morning as it moves toward Baja California. By Sunday, the storm is still expected to be a major hurricane, according to NHC forecasts.

People residing in or traveling near the impacted areas should monitor local weather guidance and be prepared to take action or evacuate if needed.