Los Angeles, California — Hurricane Polo is rapidly strengthening in the Pacific Ocean, raising concerns about heavy rain, flooding and landslides as moisture from the powerful storm moves toward the southwestern United States.
The storm intensified from a tropical storm into a Category 1 hurricane Monday afternoon after developing off the southwestern coast of Mexico. Although Polo is expected to remain offshore, forecasters are watching its projected path and the moisture it could send toward the Southwest.
The National Hurricane Center said Polo was continuing to intensify and could become a major hurricane as early as Tuesday.
Hurricane Polo Could Strengthen Dramatically
Polo’s rapid intensification is the biggest concern for forecasters.
The hurricane was classified as a Category 1 storm, but the National Hurricane Center forecast that it could reach Category 5 strength with winds of up to 160 mph by late Tuesday.
“POLO CONTINUES TO INTENSIFY AND IS EXPECTED TO BECOME A MAJOR HURRICANE ON TUESDAY,”
The storm was located in the North Pacific off the southwestern coast of Mexico as it continued strengthening.
Despite the storm’s projected intensity, Polo is not currently expected to make a direct landfall in Southern California. Its broader influence, however, could extend well beyond the center of circulation.
Heavy Rain Could Trigger Flooding and Landslides
One of the biggest concerns associated with Polo is tropical moisture moving northward into the Southwest.
That moisture could contribute to periods of heavy rainfall capable of producing flooding and landslides in vulnerable areas.
New Mexico could begin seeing impacts as early as Tuesday, with the potential for flood warnings as tropical moisture interacts with other weather systems.
Southern California is not expected to experience the hurricane’s effects immediately. According to a National Hurricane Center meteorologist cited by the Los Angeles Times, any impacts from Polo could potentially reach Southern California no earlier than the end of the weekend.
That timeline gives forecasters additional time to determine how much moisture reaches the region and where the heaviest rainfall could develop.
California Already Preparing for Winter Storms
The developing hurricane threat comes as California officials are preparing for a potentially active period of weather.
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a state of emergency Monday ahead of winter storms and amid what officials described as a historic El Niño season.
The emergency notice said:
“The Governor’s action puts California in a stronger position before winter weather intensifies. It directs state agencies to begin protecting vulnerable communities, prepare roads and critical infrastructure, stage emergency supplies, and help local partners reduce flood, landslide and coastal risks,”
The preparation is particularly significant for communities vulnerable to flooding, mudslides and coastal hazards.
If Polo’s tropical moisture reaches California while other storm systems are moving through the region, rainfall could become heavier in some areas.
Polo Follows Hurricane Marie
The latest storm threat comes only weeks after Hurricane Marie brought coastal flooding and high tides to parts of California.
Polo is expected to behave differently because its center should remain offshore, but the moisture associated with the hurricane could still influence weather across the Southwest.
Hawaii Could Face Its Fourth Tropical System as a Former Depression Regains Strength
Forecasters will be watching the storm’s track closely because even a relatively small change in its path could affect where tropical moisture eventually moves.
For Southern California, the immediate concern is therefore not a direct hurricane strike but the possibility of unusually humid conditions and heavy rainfall later in the weekend.
Two Other Tropical Storms Are Being Watched
Polo is not the only tropical system being monitored.
Tropical Storms Fay and Odalys were also developing across the Atlantic and Pacific over the weekend. Both systems were being tracked by forecasters, although they were expected to have less influence on the United States than Polo.
Polo has already become a notable storm for another reason.
The hurricane is now the 16th named storm of the season in the Eastern Pacific, underscoring the active tropical pattern developing across the basin.
Southern California Has More Weather to Watch
For residents across Los Angeles and other parts of Southern California, the next several days will be important as forecasters determine how much moisture Polo sends northward.
The hurricane is expected to remain over open water, but heavy rainfall, flooding and landslides could still become concerns farther inland if enough tropical moisture reaches the Southwest.
With California already preparing for additional winter storms, residents in flood- and landslide-prone areas will want to keep an eye on updated forecasts as Polo continues to strengthen.
Are you watching Hurricane Polo as it moves through the Pacific? Do you expect Southern California to see significant rain from the storm’s moisture? Share your thoughts in the comments.
