Hurricane Polo rapidly strengthened into a Category 5 hurricane, the highest level on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, over the eastern Pacific Ocean off Mexico’s southwestern coast in September 2026. Its maximum sustained winds reached around 285 km/h, making it one of the strongest storms of the year. The US National Hurricane Center warned of heavy rainfall, dangerous waves, flooding and strong winds along parts of Mexico’s Pacific coast, although the storm’s core was forecast to remain offshore. Polo’s rapid intensification also drew attention from meteorologists studying the effects of unusually warm ocean waters and favorable atmospheric conditions.