Hurricane Polo: Why Texas is keeping an eye on the monster Pacific storm

DALLAS - Hurricane Polo is raging off the Pacific coast of Mexico, but forecasters in Texas are keeping a close eye on the monstrous storm.

What we know:

As of Friday morning, Polo is a Category 5 hurricane with 180 mph winds. 

It is forecast to remain a major hurricane (Category 3 or higher) through the weekend. It will hit the Baja Peninsula and Mexico next week before weakening as it moves inland, toward West Texas.

Polo’s Texas connection

Local perspective:

While Texas won’t be hit directly by Polo, it will have indirect impacts on next week’s forecast across the state.

A cold front, the first real fall front of the season, is forecast to arrive in Texas by Tuesday. Polo’s proximity will allow the storm system associated with the front, combined with the high pressure driving the heat dome, to draw moisture from Polo north. 

The deep tropical moisture from Polo will help increase shower and storm chances along the front as it moves through the state.

Forecasters are already highlighting the potential for flash flooding in Texas next week.

Most of Texas in drought

Dig deeper:

While western Texas has picked up lots of rain over the past week or so, the bulk of Texas is in desperate need of a soaking.

More than 80% of Texas is in some form of drought, with more than half of it in at least severe drought. 

Polo will likely provide that with heavy to very heavy rain expected in Texas next week.

WeatherTexasNewsHurricanesNews