NHC forecasts Rachel to become hurricane as Polo nears Baja landfall

By The Likely · Updated Sep 28, 5:26 PM ET · Drawn from 6 sources · Written by AI, checked against sources

The National Hurricane Center expects Tropical Storm Rachel to strengthen into a hurricane by midweek. Meanwhile, Polo was forecast to hit the west coast of Baja California Sur on September 28 near major-hurricane strength.

Why it mattersScientists attribute the unusually busy Pacific storm activity to exceptionally strong El Niño conditions.

How we got here

May 21NOAA issued its Eastern Pacific seasonal outlook, estimating a 70% chance of an above-normal hurricane season. Gov
September 25Scientists attributed unusually high Pacific storm activity to exceptionally strong El Niño conditions. NPR
September 27Forecasters projected Polo would weaken and dissipate, while expecting Rachel to gradually strengthen. Gov, Gov

What's likely next

No date yetPolo was forecast on September 28 to strike the west coast of Baja California Sur that afternoon near major-hurricane strength.

All coverage

The coverage

‘It’s Really Busy Out There’: Storms in the Pacific Threaten Hawaii and MexicoThe New York Times · Sep 23
Tropical Storm Rachel Public AdvisoryGov
Explosive Intensification for Hurricane PoloNASA Science (.gov) · Sep 25
Polo strengthens to a Category 5 hurricane off Mexico's Pacific coastABC7 San Francisco · Sep 22
The Pacific Is a Mess of HurricanesThe Atlantic · Sep 26

Something wrong or missing? Tell us.

NHC forecasts Rachel to become hurricane as Polo nears Baja landfall

How we got here

What's likely next

All coverage

More in Weather

ExxonMobil projects 2050 emissions will nearly triple two-degree climate target

Severe Weather Europe forecasts relative Pacific warmth peaking above three degrees

Tropical Storm Hanna forms in Atlantic as hurricane drought persists

NHC forecasts strengthening for Hurricane Nolo south of Hawaiʻi