Tropical Storm Polo has weakened over northwestern Mexico following its second landfall, bringing heavy rainfall to the Baja California peninsula. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Rachel is gaining strength offshore, posing a threat of severe weather for Mexico’s Pacific coast.
Polo made landfall near the port city of Guaymas as a Category 1 hurricane on Tuesday, with maximum sustained winds of 100 km/h. The storm is expected to rapidly weaken as it moves further inland. Despite the weakening of Polo, meteorologists have cautioned that its moisture could still contribute to significant rainfall in Mexico.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned that Polo could bring 10 to 15 centimeters of rain to southern and central Sonora state, with isolated areas receiving up to 20 centimeters, increasing the risk of dangerous flooding and mudslides. AccuWeather also indicated that Polo’s remnants might trigger widespread heavy rainfall across the U.S. Southwest and Plains.
Before its second landfall, Polo impacted Baja California Sur as a Category 2 hurricane, causing flooding, uprooting trees and power lines, and leading to road closures. Despite the damage, there have been no reported fatalities in the region.
While Polo weakens, Tropical Storm Rachel is strengthening to the south. The NHC reported that Rachel, located approximately 435 kilometers west-southwest of port Lazaro Cardenas, has intensified to 110 km/h winds and is expected to become a hurricane by Tuesday night, potentially reaching major hurricane status by Thursday. Rachel is projected to move parallel to the southwestern coast of Mexico but remain offshore.
