Hurricane Tracker Shows Category 3 Polo on Track for Baja California Landfall Monday
Hurricane tracker data indicate that Hurricane Polo is forecast to make landfall as a dangerous Category 3 storm on Mexico’s Baja California Sur on Monday evening, bringing life-threatening winds, flash floods and up to 12 inches of rain, while other regions worldwide face separate severe-weather threats including flash flooding in Nevada and New York, heavy rains in Cyprus and Zimbabwe, and a second Pacific system that could become a hurricane. [1]
Hurricane Polo Nears Life-Threatening Landfall in Baja California Sur
Mexican authorities urged residents of Baja California Sur to prepare for the imminent arrival of major Hurricane Polo on Monday, warning of deadly winds and flash floods. [1] “Conditions deteriorating over portions of Baja California as life-threatening winds and flash floods expected to occur soon,” the US National Hurricane Centre said in a post on X. [1] On Monday afternoon, the Category 3 hurricane was about 80 miles west-southwest of Cabo San Lazaro in Baja California Sur, with maximum sustained winds near 115 mph and higher gusts, according to the NHC. [1] The storm is expected to dump 6 to 12 inches of rain across the state, raising the risk of life-threatening flooding and mudslides. [1] Despite weakening slightly, Polo is expected to make landfall as a dangerous Category 3 hurricane. [1] It noted the storm was set to hit a sparsely populated area, though small towns, including Las Barrancas and San Juanico, lie in its path. [1] Polo, which has tracked off Mexico’s Pacific coast for several days, has brought heavy rain, destructive waves and strong winds, prompting evacuations, port closures and school cancellations. [1]
Preparations and Evacuations Underway in Affected Mexican Communities
Restaurant and store owners in the small coastal towns of Loreto and Ciudad Constitucion boarded up doors and windows overnight to protect their businesses, in anticipation of worsening weather conditions. [1] Access to beaches has been restricted and maritime activities suspended in high-risk areas in the state. [1] The Baja California state government has opened temporary shelters in five municipalities for residents of high-risk areas. [1] Early in the morning, 78 people had been evacuated as a precautionary measure to a shelter in Ciudad Constitucion. [1] The civil protection agency urged residents to stay home but said that if their homes are at risk, they should move to temporary shelters. [1] Velazquez asked citizens to remain calm as power and internet services will most likely be out for a few hours, until midnight. [1]
Hurricane Polo approaches Baja California Sur as a dangerous Category 3 storm. — Source: dutchnews
Second Landfall Expected in Sonora and Lingering Coastal Impacts
Polo is expected to make landfall in the state of Baja California Sur in the evening, then move inland into southern Sonora on Tuesday morning, the NHC said in a bulletin. [1] Two landfalls, widespread impact Polo is expected to make a second landfall in southern Sonora late Monday or early Tuesday, the NHC said. [1] After passing the Baja California peninsula, home to tourist destinations, including Los Cabos and the Arch of Cabo San Lucas, Polo is expected to weaken. [1] However, it could still make a second landfall on mainland Mexico as a hurricane. [1] Sonora is expected to receive 4 to 6 inches of rain, with isolated totals of up to 8 inches, raising the risk of life-threatening flooding and mudslides. [1] Storm surge could also bring significant coastal flooding and large, destructive waves to both the Baja California peninsula and Mexico’s mainland Pacific coast. [1]
Tropical Storm Rachel Forecast to Become Hurricane Offshore
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Rachel, currently around 225 miles from Acapulco on the Pacific coast, was moving toward the west-northwest at a speed of 8 mph, according to the NHC. [1] Rachel is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane by midweek and remain offshore, moving parallel to Mexico’s southwestern coast. [1]
Flash Flood and River Flood Warnings Issued in the United States
The National Weather Service in Las Vegas has issued a Flash Flood Warning for south central Lincoln County in south central Nevada until 300 PM PDT. [2] At 1201 PM PDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across Kane Springs Road. [2] Between 0.5 and 1 inch of rain has fallen. [2] Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. [2] Hazard includes life threatening flash flooding. [2] Thunderstorms producing flash flooding. [2] A Flood Warning is in effect for the Hudson River near Poughkeepsie, New York, with minor flooding of lowlands, boat docks and boat launches expected until this evening. [4] At 4.2 feet, minor flood stage brings water covering State Route 213 in Eddyville. [4] At 10:45 AM EDT Monday the stage was 1.7 feet and rising. [4] The river will oscillate around flood stage with a maximum value of 4.2 feet early this afternoon. [4]
Above-Average Rainfall in Cyprus and Severe-Weather Alert in Zimbabwe
Rainfall in September reached 180 per cent of the average for the month, the meteorological department said on Monday, with Larnaca airport recording 1,871 per cent of the average and Frenaros 2,167 per cent. [3] The preliminary data is based on rainfall recorded from September 1 till 8am on September 28. [3] From the beginning of the month, the heaviest rainfall was recorded at Larnaca airport with 31.8mm, which was 1,871 per cent of the average. [3] This was followed by Kornos with 31.7mm or 556 per cent, Frenaros 26mm or 2,167 per cent, Pano Panayia 19.4mm or 373 per cent and Saittas 13.7mm or 133 per cent of the average. [3] The country is expected to experience widespread rainfall and thunderstorms from Tuesday to Thursday with the Meteorological Services Department warning of localised heavy downpours, lightning and strong winds. [5] In an advisory issued on Sunday, the MSD said the weather system could bring rainfall of more than 30mm in some areas. [5] It urged the public to take precautions against lightning strikes and flash flooding particularly in low-lying areas, near rivers and in urban centres. [5] The department also warned that strong winds could damage crops, roofing and other structures while uprooting trees and plants. [5] Farmers have also been warned about possible damage to grain quality. [5] The MSD said rainfall during the grain-filling and maturity stages could reduce grain quality while increased moisture could raise the risk of fungal diseases. [5] Rain, at times accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds is expected to begin affecting parts of Masvingo from Tuesday morning before spreading to other provinces later in the day. [5]
What to watch next: Rachel is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane by midweek while remaining offshore parallel to Mexico’s southwestern coast near Acapulco, and Zimbabwe’s Meteorological Services Department warned of widespread rainfall exceeding 30 mm, thunderstorms, lightning, strong winds and flash-flood risk from Tuesday to Thursday across multiple provinces.
