Polo strengthened off Mexico's Pacific coast into a hurricane on Monday. In less than 24 hours, the storm system off the west coast increased from a tropical storm to a powerful hurricane, with forecasters predicting it would rapidly intensify into a major storm.
By Tuesday, Hurricane Polo grew into a Category 5 storm in the eastern Pacific off southwestern Mexico. The hurricane had been expected to reach this strength by Tuesday or Wednesday as it continued to intensify.
As the storm skirts the southwest coast, it is forecast to bring heavy rain across the region while remaining offshore. The hurricane threatens floods, dangerous surf, and strong wind gusts in coastal states and near major beach resorts.