Pakistan, Sept. 23 -- Hurricane Polo has rapidly intensified into a powerful Category 5 storm after gaining 110 mph in winds within just 24 hours. The storm had winds of around 50 mph on Monday before reaching 160 mph the next day.

Polo peaked at nearly 180 mph on Tuesday, making it one of the strongest storms recorded in the eastern Pacific. A Hurricane Hunter aircraft measured central pressure near 892 millibars, indicating an exceptionally intense system.

The hurricane strengthened over unusually warm Pacific waters, with temperatures above 30.5degC. Weak wind shear and abundant moisture also allowed the storm to organise rapidly around its small core.

These conditions provided the energy needed for Polo to intensify at an extraordi...