Hurricane Polo intensifies to category 5 off Mexico's coast

Hurricane Polo has intensified into a powerful category 5 storm while moving off the southwestern coast of Mexico, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC). As of September 23, 2026, the hurricane is packing maximum sustained winds between 280 and 290 km/h. This rapid development, occurring over 24 to 36 hours, marks it as one of the strongest Pacific storms in recent decades and the third category 5 event of the current season, following hurricanes Genevieve and Lowell.

While the system is not currently projected to make a direct landfall, its slow movement poses severe threats including heavy rainfall, flooding, landslides, and turbulent seas. In response, Mexican authorities have suspended classes in affected regions and preemptively closed ports in the states of Guerrero and Michoacan. The U.S. Embassy in Mexico has issued a safety warning, advising citizens to avoid beaches and adhere to local government directives as the coastal areas remain on high alert.