Hurricane Polo strengthens as life-threatening conditions target Baja California Sur and Mexico

Hurricane Polo is strengthening as it approaches Baja California Sur, with hurricane-force winds, heavy rainfall, flash flooding and dangerous coastal conditions expected across parts of northwestern Mexico.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center said in its 2 a.m. MDT advisory Monday that Polo has maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h, making it a Category 3 hurricane. The storm is located about 200 km southwest of Cabo San Lazaro and is moving north-northeast at 10 mph 17 km/h.

Polo is expected to turn northeast Monday afternoon and accelerate slightly. The centre of the hurricane is forecast to move inland along the coast of Baja California Sur late Monday afternoon or early evening before reaching southern Sonora late Monday night or early Tuesday.

The National Hurricane Center expects Polo to be near major hurricane strength when it reaches Baja California Sur. It is forecast to remain a hurricane as it reaches mainland Mexico.

Warnings expanded

Mexico has upgraded a Hurricane Watch along the east coast of Baja California Sur to a Hurricane Warning, extending from north of Santa Rosalia to Bahia San Juan Bautista.

Hurricane Warnings are now in effect for:

• The west coast of Baja California Sur from Punta Abreojos to Santa Fe

• The east coast of Baja California Sur from Loreto to Bahia San Juan Bautista

• Mainland Mexico from Bahia Kino to Huatabampito
  

Hurricane Watches are in effect for additional portions of Baja California Sur and mainland Mexico, while Tropical Storm Warnings cover areas south of the hurricane-warning zones.

The National Hurricane Center says hurricane conditions are expected within the warning area along the west coast of Baja California Sur by late Monday afternoon. Tropical-storm conditions are expected to begin in southern portions of the warning area later Monday morning.

Heavy rain and flooding expected

Polo is expected to produce 6 to 12 inches of rainfall across parts of Baja California Sur.

Southern and central Sonora could receive 4 to 6 inches, with locally higher amounts of up to 8 inches.

The rainfall could result in life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides, particularly in areas with steep terrain.

Dangerous coastal conditions

Storm surge could produce significant coastal flooding in areas experiencing onshore winds. The surge will also be accompanied by large and destructive waves.

Swells generated by Polo are expected to continue affecting the west-central Mexican coast and the Baja California peninsula over the next several days, creating dangerous surf, rip currents and coastal flooding.

Residents and visitors across Baja California Sur, Sonora and northern Sinaloa are being urged to monitor updates as Polo approaches.