Hurricane Polo Downgraded but Remains Powerful as El Niño Fuels Storm
The slow-moving storm off Mexico's coast is being intensified by exceptionally warm ocean waters linked to the El Niño climate phenomenon.
Climate & Environment • 3 hours ago
Hurricane Polo, a significant storm developing off the coast of Mexico, has been downgraded to a Category 4 but continues to be described as "very powerful" by the US National Hurricane Center. While projected to move towards the coast of southwestern Mexico, it is not expected to make landfall.
The storm's intensity is being amplified by extremely warm ocean waters, a condition exacerbated by the El Niño climate phenomenon. Experts suggest that El Niño may have played a role in rapidly intensifying Hurricane Polo, potentially making it one of the most powerful storms of the Pacific hurricane season.