Tropical Storm Polo Intensifies, Potentially Impacting Southern California Weather
A rapidly developing tropical storm named Polo is intensifying into a dangerous hurricane in the Pacific Ocean, potentially affecting Southern California’s weather, according to meteorologists.
Tropical Storm Polo’s Impact on Mexico:
The National Hurricane Center predicts Polo will become a major hurricane as it approaches southwestern Mexico. The storm is expected to bring heavy rainfall, creating risks of flooding and landslides.
Possible Effects on Southern California:
There is potential for Polo to draw tropical moisture into Southern California. Meteorologist Bryan Lewis from the National Weather Service in Oxnard cautions that it’s too soon to predict the exact impact, which depends on atmospheric conditions. Past Pacific storms, such as Hurricane Marie, have made Southern California’s weather warmer and more humid.
Polo marks the 16th named storm in the Eastern Pacific this year. If Southern California experiences effects from Polo, they are not expected until late in the weekend at the earliest.
Surf and Coastal Concerns:
The primary concern would be an increase in surf due to a south swell, though its intensity depends on Polo’s trajectory. This summer’s repeated south swells have already caused problems for vulnerable coastlines.
“After almost an entire summer of southern swell after southern swell, there could be some issues for those vulnerable coastlines,” Lewis said.
Several counties and towns, including Laguna Beach, Dana Point, and Carlsbad, have already declared emergencies due to high surf leading to coastal erosion and sand loss.
El Niño’s Role in Weather Patterns:
El Niño often leads to an active hurricane season in the eastern Pacific, accompanied by heavy winter rains in Southern California. Experts predict this El Niño to be the strongest in a generation.
In response, Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a statewide emergency, anticipating winter storms with high surf and substantial impact across California.