Meteorologists stated that Hurricane Polo, which has weakened and is now classified as a Category 3 storm, is expected to reach the Pacific coast of Baja California Sur on Monday night, bringing sustained winds of 97 to 129 km/h and heavy rainfall to the popular tourist destination.
As of 11 a.m. (Eastern Time) this Sunday, the hurricane was about 320 km from the Baja California coast, moving northwest at 19 km/h, with sustained winds of 201 km/h, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.
The private weather forecasting company AccuWeather said Polo should gradually weaken before reaching the coast as a Category 1 hurricane, but it could still knock down trees and power lines and cause structural damage.
Heavy rains, high waves, and strong winds have already prompted evacuations, port closures, and school closures along the Mexican Pacific coast. In the resort city of San José del Cabo, authorities restricted beach access as the storm produced large waves and dangerous currents.
It is estimated that Polo will bring 10 to 20 cm of rain across Baja California, increasing the risk of floods and potentially deadly landslides, before crossing the Gulf of California and moving on to the northern states of Sonora and Chihuahua.
