Hurricane Polo is barreling towards the Baja California region of Mexico, the latest system in a Pacific hurricane season that has been notably active in recent months. On 22 September, a measurement of 892 millibars was registered for Hurricane Polo, making it the second-most intense hurricane on record in the east Pacific. It is fuelled by exceptionally warm waters across the Pacific Ocean, providing favourable conditions for the system to maintain its considerable strength.
Polo is expected to turn towards the west-north-west, before taking a more north-westerly trajectory on Saturday. It has maximum sustained winds of around 150mph, with even stronger gusts occurring within the most intense parts of the hurricane. Hurricane-force winds extend outward for approximately 40 miles from the centre, while tropical storm-force winds reach as far as 125 miles.
These powerful winds, combined with torrential rainfall and dangerous seas, could have significant impacts. Although some fluctuations in intensity are possible over the coming days, Polo is expected to remain powerful as it tracks north-westwards. In India, a deep 988-millibar low-pressure system – a tropical storm in this case – is centred along the east coast, bringing widespread and potentially disruptive weather conditions to Odisha and surrounding areas.
The system is producing heavy rainfall across the region, with the latest forecast models suggesting totals could exceed 200mm in some locations over a 24-hour period. Rainfall rates are expected to be particularly intense at times, with hourly totals potentially exceeding 30mm in the heaviest downpours. Such intense rainfall could cause significant surface water and localised flooding, particularly in low-lying areas and places with poor drainage.
Strong and gusty winds are also affecting coastal parts of Odisha. Winds are forecast to reach around 50-60mph, creating hazardous conditions in exposed areas and potentially causing disruption to travel, infrastructure and power supplies. Authorities have closed numerous schools across the affected districts for safety reasons.
Meanwhile, in Iberia, the relentless heat of summer is extending into meteorological autumn, with temperatures rising into the high 30s celsius on 23 September. Alvega, in Portugal, recorded a maximum temperature of 41.7C, smashing many July records from previous decades.
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