Hurricane Polo was downgraded to a tropical storm on Saturday but continues to pose a significant threat to Mexico’s Pacific coastline, officials said.
Key takeaways
- Storm classification: National meteorological services lowered Polo from hurricane to tropical storm status.
- Intensity remains high: Despite the downgrade, the system retains wind speeds that qualify it as “very powerful” according to forecasters.
- El Niño influence: Warm ocean waters linked to the El Niño phenomenon are fueling the storm’s strength.
- Coastal risk: Authorities warned of heavy rain, strong gusts and possible flooding along the western Mexican states.
- Monitoring continues: Satellite imagery and reconnaissance flights will track Polo as it moves westward.
Storm downgrade
Mexico’s weather agency reported that sustained winds fell below the 74 mph threshold required for hurricane classification, prompting the downgrade. The agency emphasized that the change does not eliminate the danger to coastal communities.
Powerful winds persist
Even as a tropical storm, Polo is generating gusts that exceed 60 mph, a level described by experts as “very powerful” for a system of its size. The storm’s central pressure remains low, indicating continued vigor.
El Niño’s role
Scientists noted that the storm is drawing energy from unusually warm sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific, a condition tied to the ongoing El Niño event. The extra heat supplies latent energy that sustains the storm’s convection.