Hurricane Polo Holds Category 3 Off Mexico’s Baja Peninsula
NASA image acquired August 29, 2010 Two powerful storms span the Atlantic Ocean on August 29, 2010 when the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aboard the Terra satellite captured this true color image. In the south, storm bands cover the Leeward Islands while in the north, the bands reach nearly to the coast of Newfoundland. Hurricane Danielle, the northern storm, carried maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 kpm) at the time of this image, making it a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. The center of the storm was located 605 miles (795 km) southeast of Cape Race, Newfoundland. In this image, the storm shows a clear asymmetry, with most bands located in the northern semi-circle of the storm and the eye is indistinct. Increasing asymmetry and a dissipating eye are signs of a weakening storm. By the evening of August 30, Danielle became a post-tropical storm, and was predicted to continue to dissipate over the next few days. To the south, Hurricane Earl shows several curved bands of thunderstorms around a dense center. Near the time of the image, the maximum sustained winds were 75 mph (120 km/hr), making it a Category 1 Hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. By the evening of August 30, 2010, Hurricane Earl had strengthened to a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained wind speeds of 135 mph (215 km/hr). It was located 110 mi (170 km) northeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico and moving away from the Virgin Islands. The storm was expected to continue to travel towards the north-northwest, passing near the east coast of the United States by the end of the week. National Hurricane Center tracking errors are 200-300 miles 4-5 days out, and it is not yet possible to accurately predict what, if any direct impact this storm may have on the United States. Storm surge can be expected to lift tidal levels to 3-5 feet above normal in areas of hurricane warnings and 1 to 3 feet above normal in areas of tropical storm
A major hurricane is churning in the Pacific Ocean just off Mexico’s Baja California Sur (BCS), the long peninsula on the country’s western coast known internationally for tourist hubs like Los Cabos. According to Mexico’s National Weather Service, Hurricane Polo is currently holding steady as a Category 3 storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale, the same category used in the United States to classify hurricanes by wind speed and potential damage.
Forecasters note that Polo could strengthen again in the coming hours, even after already reaching a formidable intensity. Category 3 storms carry sustained winds capable of causing significant structural damage, uprooting trees, and triggering dangerous storm surge and flooding along coastlines.
Authorities in BCS are closely monitoring the storm’s trajectory, since even hurricanes that stay offshore can bring heavy rain, high surf, and hazardous conditions for coastal communities and mariners. Local officials are urging residents and visitors in the region to stay alert to official updates as the system evolves.
For more details on Polo’s projected path and the latest advisories from Mexican meteorological authorities, read the full report at jornada.com.mx.
Source: Huracán 'Polo' se mantiene en categoría 3 frente a BCS; prevén se intensifique nuevamente (jornada.com.mx).