Hurricane Polo Rapidly Intensifies to Category 5 Off Mexico
🐿️ The Squirrel's Take
This 'truly remarkable' rapid intensification is a textbook example of how El Niño and warm ocean waters can supercharge hurricanes.
💡 Why it matters
The storm's rapid escalation underscores the growing threat of extreme weather events along the Pacific coast, even if it avoids direct landfall, it sets a dangerous precedent for future hurricane seasons.
Hurricane Polo intensified from a tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane within 24 hours, with maximum sustained winds of 165 mph. It is located about 215 miles south of Zihuatanejo, Mexico, but is not expected to make landfall.
📡 Where we spotted it (2)
The Guardian
Hurricane Polo, rapidly intensifying from strong El Niño patterns, rages off coast of Mexico
2h ago
›
BBC News
'Extremely dangerous' Hurricane Polo intensifies off coast of Mexico
2h ago
›