Powerful storm downgraded off Mexico

Hurricane Polo, a major Pacific hurricane, was downgraded from category five to category four on Wednesday morning but remains very powerful.

Wind speeds near one hundred eighty mph

A Hurricane Hunter aircraft operated by NOAA recorded sustained wind speeds near one hundred eighty miles per hour with stronger gusts on Tuesday.

El Niño fuels record warm waters

The slow-moving storm is being fuelled by extremely warm ocean waters caused by El Niño. Sea surface temperatures on September nineteenth were three point zero five degrees Celsius above average, exceeding the previous record of three point zero two degrees from twenty fifteen.

Severe flooding threatens Mexico's coast

Polo will drive torrential rainfall in south-western Mexico, with rainfall totals up to six inches forecast and eight inches possible in some areas. Life-threatening flooding and mudslides are expected, especially in steep terrain.

Mexico's president warns residents

President Claudia Sheinbaum said Polo will not make direct landfall but warned residents along the Pacific coast to be vigilant. She highlighted Jalisco, Colima and Michoacan as being at risk.

“So far, the information we have is that (Polo) will not make a direct landfall on the coast.”

Storm could still strengthen

Data from Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicated Polo could still strengthen because of what NOAA called a very conducive environment of extremely warm ocean waters. Forecasters said the storm was expected to fluctuate in intensity over the next few days.