Public Tropical Cyclone Advisory
734 WTPZ32 KNHC 281137 TCPEP2 BULLETIN Hurricane Polo Intermediate Advisory Number 31A NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL EP172026 500 AM MST Mon Sep 28 2026 ...POLO STILL A MAJOR HURRICANE AS IT APPROACHES THE BAJA CALIFORNIA PENINSULA... ...LIFE-THREATENING WINDS AND FLASH FLOODS EXPECTED OVER PORTIONS OF BAJA CALIFORNIA SUR AND SONORA TODAY AND TUESDAY... SUMMARY OF 500 AM MST...1200 UTC...INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------- LOCATION...23.9N 113.7W ABOUT 110 MI...175 KM SW OF CABO SAN LAZARO MEXICO ABOUT 250 MI...405 KM SSW OF SANTA ROSALIA MEXICO MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...115 MPH...185 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...NNE OR 20 DEGREES AT 10 MPH...17 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...958 MB...28.29 INCHES WATCHES AND WARNINGS -------------------- CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY: None. SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT: A Hurricane Warning is in effect for... * West coast of Baja California Sur, from Punta Abreojos to Santa Fe * East coast of Baja California Sur, from Loreto to Bahia San Juan Bautista * Mainland Mexico from Bahia Kino to Huatabampito A Hurricane Watch is in effect for... * West coast of Baja California Sur, north of Punta Abreojos to Punta Eugenia * East coast of Baja California Sur, south of Loreto to San Evaristo * Mainland Mexico south of Huatabampito to Topolobampo A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for... * West coast of Baja California Sur, north of Punta Abreojos to Punta Eugenia. * East coast of Baja California Sur, south of Loreto to San Evaristo. * Mainland Mexico south of Huatabampito to Topolobampo A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area, in this case later this afternoon into Tuesday. Preparations to protect life and property should be completed or rushed to completion shortly. A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case in the next 24 hours. A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area, in this case within 12 to 24 hours. Interests in the remainder of Baja California Sur, and the remainder of Sonora and northern Sinaloa should monitor the progress of Polo. For storm information specific to your area, please monitor products issued by your national meteorological service. DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK ---------------------- At 500 AM MST (1200 UTC), the center of Hurricane Polo was located near latitude 23.9 North, longitude 113.7 West. Polo is moving toward the north-northeast near 10 mph (17 km/h). A turn toward the northeast is expected this afternoon, followed by a slight increase in forward speed. On the forecast track, the center of Polo is expected to move inland along the coast of Baja California Sur late this afternoon or early this evening, then move inland into southern Sonora late tonight or early Tuesday morning. Maximum sustained winds are near 115 mph (185 km/h) with higher gusts. Polo is a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Polo is forecast to be near major hurricane strength when it reaches Baja California Sur later today, and is anticipated to be a hurricane when it makes landfall in mainland Mexico late tonight or early Tuesday morning. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 40 miles (65 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 105 miles (165 km). The estimated minimum central pressure is 958 mb (28.29 inches). HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ---------------------- Key messages for Polo can be found in the Tropical Cyclone Discussion under AWIPS header MIATCDEP2 and WMO header WTPZ42 KNHC. WIND: Hurricane conditions are expected within the warning area along the west coast of Baja California Sur by late this afternoon, with tropical storm conditions beginning in the southern portion of the warning area later this morning. These conditions are expected to spread northward and eastward across Baja California Sur later today and tonight. Hurricane conditions are expected within the Hurricane Warning area and possible in the watch area in mainland northwestern Mexico late tonight through early Tuesday with tropical storm conditions expected to begin tonight. RAINFALL: Polo is expected to produce rainfall totals of 6 to 12 inches across portions of Baja California Sur. Rainfall totals of 4 to 6 inches with maximum totals of 8 inches are expected across southern and central portions of Sonora. This rainfall may produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain. For a complete depiction of forecast rainfall associated with Polo, please see the National Weather Service Storm Total Rainfall Graphic available at hurricanes.gov/graphics_ep2.shtml?rainqpf SURGE: A storm surge could produce significant coastal flooding in areas of onshore winds. Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves. SURF: Swells generated by Polo will continue affecting the coast of west-central Mexico and the Baja California peninsula during the next couple of days. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf, rip currents, and coastal flooding. Please consult products from your local weather office. NEXT ADVISORY ------------- Next complete advisory at 800 AM MST.