Pacific hurricane season intensity driven by El Niño climate dynamics
El Niño conditions are driving above-average Pacific hurricane season intensity with multiple Category 5 storms.
Event / Disaster
2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season
Major hurricanes and tropical storms affecting Mexico, the United States, and Pacific marine areas during the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, including landfall events, flooding, and evacuations across multiple states.
9 reported locations
Daily activity
20 articles0 articles
2026-09-24 to 2026-11-01 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 24 Sept, 01:35 UTC
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What happened
Mexican authorities suspend classes and close ports ahead of Hurricane Polo
Mexican authorities temporarily suspended classes in multiple areas on Tuesday and shut down ports in Guerrero and Michoacán states in preparation for Hurricane Polo. The navy warned civilians and fishermen to take precautions. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that experts indicated Polo was unlikely to make direct landfall, though hurricane-force winds extending 40 miles from the storm center and tropical storm-force winds extending 105 miles posed significant risks.
Polo becomes third Category 5 hurricane of 2026 Pacific season
Hurricane Polo reached Category 5 status on Tuesday, becoming the third Category 5 hurricane of the Pacific season in 2026, following hurricanes Genevieve and Lowell. Category 5 represents the highest level on the Saffir-Simpson scale, indicating maximum sustained winds exceeding 157 mph. The storm subsequently fluctuated in intensity to Category 4 but remained forecast to stay as a very powerful major hurricane.
El Niño conditions fuel rapid hurricane intensification in Pacific
Scientists attributed Hurricane Polo's rapid intensification to El Niño weather patterns. Warm Pacific waters and favorable wind patterns created optimal conditions for hurricane development and strengthening. El Niño has also fueled crippling droughts in Mexico and Central America and floods in other regional areas. Colorado State University researcher Philip Klotzbach noted that current conditions provided all the ingredients necessary for hurricanes to strengthen rapidly.
Hurricane Polo exhibits rapid intensification comparable to Hurricane Patricia
Hurricane Polo's rapid intensification stunned scientists, with the National Hurricane Center describing the 24-hour strength gain as "truly remarkable." Data showed Polo's winds reached speeds comparable to only a few hurricanes in recent decades, primarily Hurricane Patricia, which reached 215 mph in 2015. University at Albany professor Kristen L. Corbosiero described Polo as "one of the strongest storms ever in the Pacific Basin."
U.S. Embassy issues weather alert for Mexico
The U.S. Embassy in Mexico issued a weather alert instructing U.S. citizens to avoid water and beaches and to heed warnings from Mexican authorities. The embassy warned that even without direct landfall, heavy rain could produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides, and that hazardous ocean conditions could result in deadly rip currents and rogue waves.
Tropical storm Odalys strengthens to Category 1 hurricane
Tropical storm Odalys strengthened to Category 1 hurricane status on Wednesday, located approximately 1,295 miles off the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula. The system moved east-northeast at 9 mph with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph and was not expected to threaten land.
Tropical storm conditions forecast for Mexican Pacific coast
Tropical storm conditions were expected along the Pacific coast in Guerrero, Michoacán, and Colima states from Wednesday into Thursday as Hurricane Polo approached. Heavy rainfall of 3 to 6 inches was forecast for Guerrero and Michoacán, with potential for smaller amounts in coastal portions of Oaxaca, Colima, and Jalisco states. Hazards included flash flooding, mudslides, dangerous rip currents, and rogue waves.
Record-long delay in Atlantic hurricane formation in 2026
No Atlantic hurricanes had formed by late September 2026, setting a record for the longest start to an Atlantic hurricane season without a hurricane. Scientists attributed the suppression of Atlantic hurricane development to the effects of El Niño conditions.
Hurricane Polo reaches Category 4 strength off Mexico's southwestern coast
Hurricane Polo intensified into one of the most powerful Pacific cyclones in decades, reaching Category 4 strength with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph. The storm was positioned approximately 165 miles south of Zihuatanejo and 320 miles southeast of Manzanillo, moving slowly northward. The U.S. National Hurricane Center classified it as an "extremely dangerous" storm expected to turn northwest and then west-northwest over subsequent days.
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2 alternative perspectives
Hurricane Nolo threatens Hawaii's critical marine conservation zone
Hurricane Nolo threatens Hawaii's marine conservation areas with catastrophic rainfall and storm impacts.
Tropical Storm Rachel tracks parallel to Mexico's Pacific coast
Tropical Storm Rachel tracks parallel to Mexico's Pacific coast with ongoing monitoring of its impacts.
Southwest faces cascading flood crisis as Polo's remnants drench region
Polo's remnants unleash Southwest flooding crisis with dam failure risks and helicopter rescues in national parks.
El Niño conditions drive above-average Pacific hurricane season intensity
El Niño conditions are driving above-average Pacific hurricane intensification during the 2026 season.
Tropical Storm Rachel moves parallel to Mexico's Pacific coast
Tropical Storm Rachel tracks parallel to Mexico's Pacific coast amid ongoing eastern Pacific activity.
Hurricane Nolo brings catastrophic flooding threat to Hawaii's Big Island
Hurricane Nolo brings catastrophic flooding threat to Hawaii with 20-inch rainfall projections.
Polo's Remnants Bring Heavy Rain, Flooding to Southwest
Polo remnants cause heavy rain, flooding in Southwest after Mexico landfall.
Polo makes Category 2 landfall in Mexico with minimal damage reported
Hurricane Polo made Category 2 landfall in Mexico with no serious damage reported.
Pacific hurricane season activity tracking above historical averages
Pacific hurricane season activity exceeds historical averages, fueled by El Niño-driven rapid intensification conditions.
Polo bears down on Baja California with Category 5 intensity
Category 5 Hurricane Polo approaches Baja California with extreme winds and infrastructure challenges.
Hawaii deploys National Guard as Nolo intensifies with dangerous rainfall
Hawaii mobilizes federal and state resources as Hurricane Nolo approaches with severe wind and rainfall threats.