AsHurricane Polo moves inland, its remnants are expected to linger over El Paso, bringing heavy rain and strong winds.
While urging El Pasoans to prepare for upcoming storms, Gov. Greg Abbott said in a Sept. 28 news conferencethat tropical tornadoes are possible in Texas — but could one form in the El Paso area?
It’s possible, but unlikely, according to the National Weather Service.
“(A tornado) can’t be ruled out,” said Zak Aronson, meteorologist with the El Paso National Weather Service. “With the stronger winds around the center, that will increase our wind shear, turning winds with height — with that we could have some storms that spin more than we typically see.”
If a tornado does develop, it would likely be weak and short-lived, Aronson said.
El Paso remains under flood watch, high wind watch
El Paso, and much of New Mexico, remain under a flood watchand a wind advisory until 6 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 30. The area has a moderate risk of flash flooding and could experience wind gusts of up to 60 miles per hour, according to the National Weather Service.
Storms will be most active from 3 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29 into the nighttime hours as the remnants of Hurricane Polo move into the region, according to the National Weather Service.
Hurricane Polo track
Hurricane Polo was bringing damaging winds and life-threatening flash flooding to Baja California Sur early Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.
As the storm moves into Mexico, parts of southern and central Sonora could receive up to 8 inches of rain. The rainfall may trigger life-threatening flooding and mudslides, the weather service said.
Polo-generated swells are also expected to affect parts of the Baja California peninsula and northwestern Mexico over the next day or so.
See Hurricane Polo path
See Hurricane Polo’s track below.
Natassia Paloma may be reached at npaloma@gannett.com, @NatassiaPaloma on X, natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma on Facebook.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Could a tornado hit El Paso? What to know as Hurricane Polo moves in
