NASA Sees Tropical Storm Polo Intensifying

NASA's Aqua satellite passed over Polo on Sept. 17 at 4:59 a.m. EDT and the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder instrument captured infrared data on the storm revealing bands of strong thunderstorms north and south of the center. Image Credit: NASA JPL, Ed Olsen

A Tropical Storm Warning is in force for the southwest coast of Mexico from Punta San Telmo to Playa Perula.  A Tropical Storm Watch is in force from Punta San Telmo to Zihuatanejo and from Playa Perula to Cabo Corrientes.

Rainfall totals of 5 to 10, locally up to 15 inches, can be expected over coastal areas of Michoacan, Colima and Jalisco states in Mexico. Life-threatening flash-floods and mudslides could result. 

Dangerous ocean swells from the tropical storm are expected to affect the coast of southern Mexico also causing rip-tides. 

NASA's Aqua satellite passed over Polo on Sept. 17 at 4:59 a.m. EDT and the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder instrument captured infrared data on the storm revealing bands of strong thunderstorms north and south of the center.

At 11 a.m. EDT on Sept. 17, Polo's maximum sustained winds increased to near 60 mph (95 kph) and the storm is expected to become a hurricane tonight or early Thursday. The center of Tropical Storm Polo was located near latitude 15.7 north.  and longitude 102.4 west.

Polo is moving toward the northwest near 10 mph (17 kph) and this motion is expected to continue for the next two days. The National Hurricane Center noted that on the forecast track the core of Polo will remain offshore of and move parallel to the southwestern coast of Mexico.

However, any deviation could bring stronger winds to the coast.  

Polo is forecast to become a hurricane in a day or two.

Rob Gutro

NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

Media Contact

Rob Gutro Eurek Alert!

All latest news from the category: Earth Sciences

Earth Sciences (also referred to as Geosciences), which deals with basic issues surrounding our planet, plays a vital role in the area of energy and raw materials supply.

Earth Sciences comprises subjects such as geology, geography, geological informatics, paleontology, mineralogy, petrography, crystallography, geophysics, geodesy, glaciology, cartography, photogrammetry, meteorology and seismology, early-warning systems, earthquake research and polar research.

Back to home

Comments (0)

Write a comment

Newest articles

Recovering phosphorus from sewage sludge ash

Chemical and heat treatment of sewage sludge can recover phosphorus in a process that could help address the problem of diminishing supplies of phosphorus ores. Valuable supplies of phosphorus could…

Efficient, sustainable and cost-effective hybrid energy storage system for modern power grids

EU project HyFlow: Over three years of research, the consortium of the EU project HyFlow has successfully developed a highly efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective hybrid energy storage system (HESS) that…

After 25 years, researchers uncover genetic cause of rare neurological disease

Some families call it a trial of faith. Others just call it a curse. The progressive neurological disease known as spinocerebellar ataxia 4 (SCA4) is a rare condition, but its…

Partners & Sponsors