Hurricane Hunters Brave Category 5 'Polo' Eye in Terrifying Video
NOAA aircraft flies into the heart of a colossal storm churning off the West Coast, as impacts loom for Baja California and potentially Southern California.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) hurricane hunters have released harrowing video footage from inside the eye of Category 5 Hurricane Polo, a colossal storm currently surging off the West Coast. The footage, captured by the NOAA P-3 aircraft nicknamed ‘Miss Piggy,’ shows the crew flying directly into the storm’s eyewall and into a dense, circular cloud formation.
Polo is anticipated to make landfall in Baja California Sur early next week. Forecasters are also closely monitoring its potential impacts on Southern California over the coming weekend and into the following week, though a direct strike on the state appears unlikely. The storm has maintained Category 5 strength for at least 12 hours, with wind speeds reaching 180 mph, making it one of the most intense storms recorded in the Pacific Basin by central pressure.
The NOAA Hurricane Hunters shared the video on Facebook, stating, “Ride along from the front of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) P-3 #NOAA43 ‘Miss Piggy’ as the crew flies through the storm during a recent mission.” These flights are crucial for gathering vital data, including temperature, humidity, and wind speed, which assist forecasters in improving storm track predictions and research into rapid intensification.
While the hurricane’s direct path toward California remains uncertain, various forecast models, often referred to as “spaghetti models,” indicate that Polo or its remnants could influence weather patterns across California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas in the next seven to 10 days. Southern California could experience initial effects in the form of elevated surf and higher tides this weekend and into early next week, according to the National Weather Service.
Coastal communities in Southern California are preparing for potential impacts. Residents in areas like Long Beach and Newport Beach, which experienced significant wave damage over Labor Day weekend, are reportedly fortifying their properties. Preparations include the construction of sand barriers to mitigate wave action.
