Hurricane Polo strengthens to Category 3 near Baja California Sur
The National Hurricane Center said Polo was near 20.7N 113.7W, about 285 miles west-southwest of Cabo San Lucas, with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph. Hurricane warnings and watches were in effect for parts of Baja California Sur and northwestern mainland Mexico.
Hurricane Polo intermediate advisory number 27A from the National Hurricane Center in Miami was issued at 500 AM MST on Sun Sep 27 2026. 7W, about 285 mi (460 km) west-southwest of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and about 295 mi (480 km) south-southwest of Cabo San Lazaro, Mexico. Maximum sustained winds were 120 mph (195 km/h). The system was moving north-northwest at 340 degrees at 10 mph (17 km/h).
12 inches). No changes were made to watches and warnings with this advisory. A hurricane warning is in effect for the west coast of Baja California Sur from Punta Abreojos to Santa Fe and the east coast of Baja California Sur from Loreto to Santa Rosalia. A hurricane watch is in effect for the west coast of Baja California Sur north of Punta Abreojos to Punta Eugenia; the east coast of Baja California Sur south of Loreto to San Evaristo; the east coast of Baja California Sur north of Santa Rosalia to Bahia San Juan Bautista; and mainland Mexico from Huatabampito to Bahia Kino.
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the west coast of Baja California Sur north of Punta Abreojos to Punta Eugenia, the east coast of Baja California Sur north of Santa Rosalia to Bahia San Juan Bautista, and the east coast of Baja California Sur south of Loreto to San Evaristo. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for mainland Mexico south of Huatabampito to Topolobampo. A hurricane warning means hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. Such a warning is typically issued 36 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, when outside preparations can be difficult or dangerous.
A hurricane watch means hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. Such a watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, when outside preparations can be difficult or dangerous. A tropical storm warning means tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area, generally within 36 hours. A tropical storm watch means tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area.
Interests in the remainder of Baja California Sur, and the remainder of Sonora and northern Sinaloa should monitor the progress of Polo, generally within 48 hours. For storm information specific to your area, please monitor products issued by your national meteorological service. 7 West. The storm was moving north-northwest at 10 mph (17 km/h), with a turn to the north expected later today and a shift to the northeast on Monday.
On the forecast track, Polo is expected to approach the west coast of Baja California Sur on Monday, cross the peninsula Monday night and then approach northwestern mainland Mexico by early Tuesday. Maximum sustained winds were near 120 mph (195 km/h) with higher gusts. Polo was a Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Gradual weakening is expected over the next few days, but the system is forecast to remain a strong hurricane when it reaches Baja California Sur on Monday.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles (75 km) from the center, while tropical-storm-force winds Polo is forecast to bring 4 to 8 inches of rain across parts of Baja California Sur, with maximum amounts of 10 inches. The rainfall could cause life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in steep terrain. Hurricane conditions are expected within the warning area along the west coast of Baja California Sur by Monday afternoon, while tropical storm conditions are possible in the southern portion of the warning area from tonight into early Monday.
Those conditions are expected to spread northward during Monday and then eastward across Baja California Sur by Monday evening. Hurricane conditions are possible within the Hurricane Watch area in mainland northwestern Mexico on Tuesday. The cyclone extends outward up to 125 miles (205 km). 12 inches).
Storm surge could bring significant coastal flooding in areas exposed to onshore winds, with large and destructive waves expected near the coast. Swells generated by Polo will continue to affect the coast of southwestern Mexico, west-central Mexico and Baja California Sur over the next couple of days, then spread northward along the Baja California Peninsula through the rest of the weekend. The swells are likely to produce life-threatening surf, rip currents and coastal flooding. Next complete advisory is due at 800 AM MST.