Track path of eye-popping Category 5 Hurricane Polo as it strengthens

Hurricane Polo has regained its strength to a Category 5 storm and is moving away from Mexico's western coast, but is forecast to make a turn and make landfall in Baja California Sur and then mainland Mexico next week.

According to the latest update from the National Hurricane Center, Polo is about 280 miles southwest of Cabo Corrientes, Mexico, with maximum sustained winds around 180 mph with higher gusts.

Forecasters said Polo is moving west at around 12 mph, with this motion expected to continue through Friday, followed by a gradual turn to the northwest Saturday and north on Sunday. On Monday, Polo is expected to turn toward the northeast and approach Baja California Sur.

Swells generated by Polo will affect portions of the coast of southwestern Mexico during the next couple of days, forecasters said, and will then spread northward along the coast of west-central Mexico and toward Baja California Sur on Friday and into the weekend. The swells will likely cause life-threatening surf, rip currents and coastal flooding.

The hurricane center said Polo's intensity could fluctuate over the next 12-24 hours, with weakening beginning by Saturday. Moisture from Polo, however, could have impacts all the way in the…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/travel/