Hurricanes Polo and Odalys remain active in the eastern Pacific on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, with Polo continuing to threaten southwestern Mexico with dangerous rain, surf and flooding conditions.
The National Hurricane Center said Polo had weakened to a Category 4 hurricane by 6 a.m. Central Standard Time, with maximum sustained winds near 150 mph (240 km/h).
The storm was located about 165 miles (270 kilometres) south of Zihuatanejo and about 320 miles (515 kilometres) southeast of Manzanillo, Mexico, and was moving north at roughly 2 mph.
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Hurricanes: Hurricane Polo remains close to Mexico
Polo reached Category 5 strength earlier in its development, but the latest advisory placed it below that threshold while warning that the storm remains extremely powerful.
The system is expected to drift northward near the southwestern coast of Mexico during the next several days, although the forecast track keeps the centre offshore.
Even without a direct landfall, Polo’s outer bands are already affecting coastal areas, and tropical-storm-force winds have been reported just offshore.
The National Hurricane Center is forecasting four to eight inches of rain across coastal portions of Guerrero and Michoacán, with isolated totals of up to 12 inches possible through Thursday.
Additional rainfall of three to six inches is possible in parts of Oaxaca, Colima and Jalisco.
Forecasters warn that the rainfall could trigger life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides, especially in steep terrain.
Large swells generated by Polo are also expected to create dangerous surf and rip-current conditions along portions of the southwestern Mexican coast.
Odalys strengthens farther offshore
Hurricane Odalys strengthened into a hurricane early Wednesday while moving across the open eastern Pacific.
As of 2 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time, Odalys had maximum sustained winds near 75 mph (120 km/h) and was located about 1,295 miles (2,085 kilometres) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.
The storm was moving east-northeast at about 9 mph (15 km/h).
Additional strengthening is expected during the next day or two, followed by weakening later in the week, according to the National Hurricane Center’s Odalys advisory.
Odalys is currently far from the Mexican mainland and poses a different threat profile from Polo, whose circulation is much closer to the coast.
System redevelops southeast of Hawaii
A separate system, Tropical Depression Fifteen-E, has redeveloped southeast of the Hawaiian Islands after losing tropical-cyclone status earlier in its life cycle.
The depression had maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h) late Tuesday and was moving west-northwest at about 12 mph (19 km/h).
It was positioned roughly 405 miles (650 kilometres) south-southeast of Hilo and 575 miles (925 kilometres) southeast of Honolulu.
The Central Pacific Hurricane Center said the system could strengthen quickly, and people in Hawaii were advised to monitor future forecasts.
No tropical cyclones in the Atlantic
The Atlantic basin had no active tropical cyclones as of the National Hurricane Center’s Wednesday morning update.
That means the current hurricane activity is concentrated in the eastern and central Pacific rather than the Atlantic, Caribbean Sea or Gulf of America.
Conditions can change quickly during hurricane season, so travellers and residents in affected areas should rely on official warnings from local authorities and national weather services.
What Canadians should know
For Canadians travelling to Mexico, Hawaii or other Pacific destinations, the immediate concern is not a storm reaching Canada but possible disruptions caused by heavy rain, dangerous surf, airport delays and road closures.
Travellers should check travel advisories, airline and hotel advisories before leaving for coastal regions near the projected path of Polo.
Canadians at home should remember that tropical systems can sometimes affect Atlantic Canada after moving northward or merging with other weather systems, even when they no longer retain hurricane strength.
Environment and Climate Change Canada says the Canadian Hurricane Centre is responsible for issuing tropical-storm and hurricane watches and warnings when a tropical cyclone threatens Canadian waters or territory.
Residents should use the official Canadian weather alert system and emergency-management instructions rather than relying on unofficial storm maps or social media posts.
What happens next
Forecasters will continue monitoring Polo’s track, intensity and rainfall as the storm moves near southwestern Mexico.
The most important short-term risks are flooding, mudslides, high surf and rip currents along the coast.
Odalys is expected to remain over open water while gradually weakening later in the week, although its forecast will be updated as it moves eastward.
Hawaii residents and visitors should continue watching advisories for Fifteen-E because the depression is forecast to strengthen while moving west-northwest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hurricane Polo still a Category 5 storm?
No. The latest National Hurricane Center update placed Polo at Category 4 strength with maximum sustained winds near 150 mph (240 km/h).
Where is Hurricane Polo headed?
Polo is drifting northward near the southwestern coast of Mexico, but its centre is forecast to remain offshore in the near term.
What hazards does Polo pose to Mexico?
The storm may bring heavy rain, flash flooding, mudslides, dangerous surf and rip currents to parts of southwestern Mexico.
Is Hurricane Odalys threatening Mexico?
Odalys is a hurricane over the open eastern Pacific, far west-southwest of Baja California, and is currently farther from land than Polo.
Are there any hurricanes in the Atlantic right now?
No. The National Hurricane Center reported no active tropical cyclones in the Atlantic basin as of Wednesday, September 23, 2026.
Fact-Checked: Key storm positions, wind speeds, forecasts and Atlantic-basin conditions were checked against National Hurricane Center and Government of Canada information. ([nhc.noaa.gov](https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/?trk=org_guest_main-feed-card-text%2F&utm_source=openai))
Disclaimer: Storm tracks and intensity forecasts can change quickly, so readers should follow the latest advisories from local authorities and official weather agencies.