By Carlos Mendoza | Breaking News
LOS CABOS, BCS — Hurricane Polo intensified at extraordinary speed overnight and reached Category 5 strength Tuesday morning, making it the most important weather story for Baja California Sur to watch today.
Mexico’s Servicio Meteorológico Nacional reported at 6:00 a.m. that Polo had sustained winds of about 260 km/h (160 mph) with gusts near 315 km/h (196 mph). Its center was about 355 km (221 miles) south of Zihuatanejo and 580 km (360 miles) south-southeast of Manzanillo.
The storm was moving east at roughly 9 km/h (6 mph), but the forecast calls for a turn toward the northwest and west-northwest between tonight and Wednesday. That expected turn is why Baja California Sur needs to keep watching Polo closely.
Is Hurricane Polo coming to Cabo?
There is no tropical storm or hurricane watch in effect for Baja California Sur as of Tuesday morning. Current watches are along the mainland Pacific coast from Tecpan de Galeana, Guerrero, to Manzanillo, Colima.
The longer-range SMN projection cited by Baja California Sur reporting places Polo roughly 380 km (236 miles) southwest of Cabo San Lucas early Sunday, potentially still as a major hurricane. That is a multi-day forecast, not a landfall prediction. Track and intensity forecasts can change substantially over several days.
Today’s Los Cabos weather
Cabo San Lucas starts Tuesday hot and humid. Current forecast guidance calls for a high near 30°C (86°F), feeling closer to 35°C (95°F), with about a 59% chance of afternoon showers. Northwest winds are forecast around 14 km/h (9 mph).
San José del Cabo is forecast around 31–33°C (88–92°F). Forecast services differ on rain coverage, but several show a chance of afternoon showers or thunderstorms. The maximum UV index is around 9 — Very High.
Seven-day Cabo outlook
- Tuesday: 30–33°C / 86–92°F. Afternoon shower risk.
- Wednesday: 29–31°C / 85–88°F, showers possible.
- Thursday: 31–32°C / 88–90°F; humid with spotty rain possible.
- Friday: 32–33°C / 90–91°F.
- Saturday: 31–32°C / 88–90°F, with some rain risk.
- Sunday: 31–32°C / 88–90°F. Polo’s position will be the major forecast variable.
- Monday: confidence is lower this far out and will depend heavily on Polo’s track.
What residents and visitors should do
There is no reason for panic, but this is the time to pay attention. Residents should review basic storm supplies, keep phones charged and follow Protección Civil, SMN/CONAGUA and National Hurricane Center updates. Travelers should monitor airline notices, particularly later in the week.
Boaters, fishing charters and surfers should be especially cautious. Ocean conditions can deteriorate far from a hurricane’s center, and Polo’s eventual northwestward turn could influence swell and marine conditions before any effects are felt on land.
The Cabo Magazine will update this story as official forecasts change.
