Hurricane Polo is now a Category 1: How close is it to Acapulco and what will its path be?

Hurricane Polo intensified into a Category 1 storm this Monday, September 21, as it moves over the waters of the Pacific Ocean off the Mexican coast. The cyclone continues to strengthen, and its effects will increase the probability of rain in states in western and southern Mexico.

According to information from the National Meteorological Service (SMN) and the National Water Commission (Conagua), the center of Polo was located 305 kilometers south-southwest of Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, and 435 kilometers south-southeast of Manzanillo, Colima.

Polo has maximum sustained winds of 130 km/h and gusts of up to 155 km/h, conditions consistent with a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale. The system is moving eastward at approximately 7 km/h.

How close is Hurricane Polo to Acapulco?

Although the official report provides distance relative to Zihuatanejo as a reference, the center of Polo is approximately 400 kilometers in a straight line from Acapulco, based on the reported location of the cyclone.

The position and distance can change rapidly due to the movement of the cyclone, so the most recent meteorological notices should be consulted.

Is Polo heading toward Acapulco?

At the moment, forecasts do not indicate that the center of Polo is going directly toward Acapulco. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) anticipates a significant change in its path: after moving eastward, the cyclone would later turn west-northwest or northwest and move parallel to sectors of the western coast of Mexico, remaining over the sea according to the current forecast.

This does not mean that Guerrero will be free of effects. The cloud bands and the circulation of Polo can produce effects hundreds of kilometers from its center.

Which states will have rain due to Hurricane Polo?

The circulation of Polo increases the probability of rain of varying intensity in Jalisco, Colima, Michoacán, Guerrero, and Oaxaca. Guerrero and Michoacán are among the entities that could record the most significant effects of the system.

The NHC also warns about the risk of heavy rains, high waves, and tropical storm winds in coastal sectors. For areas of Guerrero and Michoacán, rainfall accumulations of 10 to 20 centimeters are forecast, with isolated maximums of nearly 30 centimeters, which could lead to flooding and landslides.

Polo could become a major hurricane

One of the aspects keeping Polo under surveillance is its rapid intensification. The NHC points out that the system will continue to strengthen and could become a major hurricane over the coming days.

Therefore, although it is currently a Category 1 and its center remains out at sea, conditions can change. The population on the coasts of Guerrero, Michoacán, Colima, and Jalisco should remain attentive to updates from the SMN, Conagua, and Civil Protection.