Hurricane Polo Could Worsen Before Weakening

September 18, 2014 by Brian K. Sullivan

Hurricane Polo may strengthen a little more before it begins to weaken this weekend as it moves parallel to Mexico’s Pacific coast, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.

Polo has top sustained winds of 75 miles (121 kilometers) per hour and was about 150 miles southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico, the center said in advisory at 11 a.m. New York time. It is moving northwest at 8 mph.

“Some slight strengthening is possible during the next 24 hours, but a gradual weakening should begin thereafter,” the center said.

Mexico has tropical storm warnings and watches posted from San Telmo to Cabo Corrientes that may be reached by winds as strong as 39 mph, along with as much as 10 inches (25 centimeters) of rain starting later today, the center said.

Polo is forecast to veer away from Mexico’s Baja California peninsula during the next five days. Any deviation in its course, however, could bring strong winds to coastal areas, the center said.

The Baja California peninsula, including the resort area of Cabo San Lucas, was struck by HurricaneOdile earlier this week. As many as 30,000 tourists were stranded by the storm that knocked out power, flattened smaller buildings and left debris spread in its wake.