Polo rapidly intensified into a Category 5 cyclone and is skirting Mexico's southwest coast.
Why it matters: A storm this strong can trigger urgent public-safety responses, disrupt infrastructure and raise insurance risks across Mexico's southwest coast. Even without landfall, heavy rain, flash flooding and mudslides can cause major damage.
- The National Hurricane Center said Polo was an "extremely dangerous Category 5 hurricane" at 9:00 a.m. CST on Sept. 22, 2026.
- Polo had maximum sustained winds of 165 mph and a minimum central pressure of 920 mb.
- The storm was about 205 miles south of Zihuatanejo and moving north at about 2 mph.
- AP reported Mexico temporarily suspended classes in some Pacific Coast areas because of the storm.
Hurricane Polo rapidly intensified in the eastern Pacific and reached Category 5 status off Mexico's southwestern coast, according to the National Hurricane Center.
At 9:00 a.m. CST on Sept. 22, the NHC said, "POLO IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CATEGORY 5 HURRICANE." The storm had maximum sustained winds of 165 mph and a minimum central pressure of 920 mb.
The NHC said Polo was centered about 205 miles south of Zihuatanejo and 345 miles south-southeast of Manzanillo, moving north at about 2 mph. It expected the storm to move slowly off the coast of Mexico during the next couple of days.
AP reported the storm was forecast to skirt Mexico's southwestern coast as a Category 5 cyclone, with heavy rain, flash flooding and mudslides possible across Guerrero and Michoacán. AP also reported that Mexican authorities temporarily suspended classes in some Pacific Coast areas.
The storm's rise was fast. The NHC said on Sept. 20 that Tropical Storm Polo had formed off southwestern Mexico and was expected to rapidly intensify into a major hurricane. By the evening of Sept. 21, the agency said Polo continued to rapidly intensify and expected it to become a major hurricane on Tuesday.
AP reported that Polo reached Category 5 after intensifying from tropical-storm strength in roughly 24 hours, putting it among the strongest eastern Pacific cyclones on record.
The NHC said "Polo continues to rapidly intensify."
By the numbers
- 165 mph - Maximum sustained winds reported by the National Hurricane Center.
- 920 mb - Minimum central pressure at 9:00 a.m. CST on Sept. 22.
- 205 miles - Distance south of Zihuatanejo when the NHC issued its advisory.
Yes, but: The storm was expected to stay offshore, but the dossier notes that heavy rain, flash flooding, mudslides and rough surf could still hit coastal areas.
What's next: The National Hurricane Center said Polo was expected to move slowly off Mexico's coast over the next couple of days.