Hurricane Polo tracker: Watch live as 180mph winds batter Mexico coast and threatens millions

Hurricane Polo tracker: Watch live as 180mph winds batter Mexico coast and threatens millions Hurricane Polo is expected to bring life-threatening flooding and mudslides to millions of people along coast of Mexico as scientists described its rapid spiral as 'truly remarkable' Hurricane Polo is one of the strongest storms ever recorded in the eastern Pacific - and has left scientists stunned. The "very powerful" Category 5 hurricane has rapidly intensified off Mexico’s southwestern coast, reaching winds of 180mph and making it the region's second-most intense storm by central pressure. Only Hurricane Patricia, in 2015, was stronger, reaching a maximum sustained winds of 215mph. This morning, Polo was about 205 miles south of Zihuatanejo, a resort city on Mexico’s Pacific coast. While most of the storm is expected to remain out to sea, the US National Hurricane Centre (NHC) has warned of life-threatening rain, flooding and mudslides along populated coastal areas in Mexico. "Fluctuations in intensity are expected, but Polo is expected to remain a very powerful major hurricane during the next few days," the NHC said. The first impacts are expected around 8am local time (2pm BST) on Wednesday off the Mexican state of Colima, moving out into the Pacific on Thursday and Friday before it makes landfall at the tip of Baja California Sur at the weekend. Live webcam from town along hurricane-hit coast These live webcams show the scene at Acapulco Bay in Mexico, which has witnessed high winds and gales already as the knock-on effects of the storm begin to be felt. Weather alert issued as scientists stunned at 'remarkable' progress of storm The US Embassy in Mexico has issued a weather alert, urging all of its citizens in the country to avoid water and beaches, and to listen to warnings from local authorities. It read: "Even if the storm does not make direct landfall, heavy rain may produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides. Hazardous ocean conditions - intensified by storms - may result in deadly rip currents and rogue waves." Scientists meanwhile admitted to being shocked by the rapid intensification of the storm, with the NHC writing in a report that it was "truly remarkable" how quickly Polo gained strength in 24 hours. Philip Klotzbach, research scientist in the Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University, said this year's strong El Nino had resulted in warmer waters, fuelling the hurricane. "There are all the ingredients that hurricanes need to get really strong really fast," Klotzbach said. This year has set a record for the longest start to a season without a hurricane - and meteorologists believe this is also down to the El Nino crushing storms before they get going.