Polo (2020)

A compact area of thunderstorms in the eastern Pacific south-southwest of the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula slowly organized in mid-November 2020. A broad low formed southwest of Manzanillo on 14 November and became a tropical depression at 1800 UTC 17 November about 500 nautical miles south-southwest of Baja California. The system moved generally west-northwestward then westward, weakened to a remnant low by late 19 November about 710 nmi west-southwest of the peninsula, and degenerated to a trough on 21 November. Polo existed as a tropical cyclone for less than 48 hours.

Polo did not make any landfalls. It remained over the open waters of the eastern North Pacific and no coastal watches or warnings were issued. Because the storm stayed well offshore, there were no surface reports of tropical-storm-force winds from land stations or ships associated with Polo.

The storm’s maximum sustained winds reached 40 knots (46 mph) near 1200 UTC 18 November, and the estimated minimum central pressure at peak was 1004 millibars. At peak it was a moderate tropical storm and never reached hurricane strength.

Because Polo stayed over open water, there were no measured storm surge impacts on coasts and no significant rainfall reports tied to the cyclone for named cities or counties in NHC records. Satellite and remote-sensing data were used to monitor the storm, and no coastal tide or rain totals are reported in the official record.

There were no reports of damage or casualties—no direct or indirect deaths—attributed to Polo. The main impacts were limited to the marine environment where the system existed. Forecasts captured the general motion and weak intensity of Polo well; genesis was anticipated at longer lead times but was less certain shortly before formation because the window for development was small.