A rare “hybrid storm” is taking shape, threatening a significant weather event that combines heavy snowfall in the high elevations of the Colorado Rockies with the risk of widespread flooding across the central United States. Meteorologists define this system as a hybrid because it merges the remnants of Hurricane Polo with an expansive, separate weather system moving in from the west. In the West, snow forecasts typically mention the snow level, which is the elevation above which snow starts to fall.
The National Weather Service anticipates that Pacific tropical moisture will feed into this system, resulting in a multi-day heavy rainfall event. This precipitation is expected to extend from the Southwest into the Midwest and southern Plains. As of September 29, the storm is forecast to bring substantial rain and significant flooding from Arizona through to Chicago over the coming days. The storm, which is still coming together Tuesday, Sept. With a focus on weather and climate, doyle Rice is a national correspondent for.
AccuWeather chief meteorologist Jon Porter warned that parts of New Mexico could face their most severe flash flooding risk in at least five years. This danger is exacerbated by the fact that some regions in the Southwest were already saturated by heavy rains shortly before this system arrived. According to AccuWeather meteorologist Alyssa Glenny, a major flood event is currently unfolding as residual moisture from two hurricanes clashes with the incoming western storm. Especially in New Mexico, this may be the most dangerous flash flooding risk in the last 5 years or more,” AccuWeather chief meteorologist Jon Porter said, in some places.
While rain dominates the lower elevations, the highest points of the Colorado Rockies are bracing for one of the season’s earliest snow events. Because snow levels are projected to remain high—generally between 11,000 and 12,000 feet—the impacts will be largely confined to mountain terrain rather than populated metro areas like Denver. The National Weather Service in Denver noted that snow chances in high-terrain areas would likely peak early Thursday, October 1, as temperatures cool aloft. The fewer people are usually affected, the higher the snow levels.
Forecasters from the National Weather Service in Pueblo and Denver have released maps indicating that high-end snowfall totals could reach up to 8 inches in specific regions. These include the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the area near Westcliffe, and zones south of La Veta Pass toward Trinidad. Similar potential accumulations are forecast for locations west of Denver.
Travelers in southern Colorado are advised to exercise caution. The impact on regional infrastructure is a primary concern, as mountain passes such as Monarch, Wolf Creek, and La Veta are situated within the primary snowfall zones. Analysts suggest that wet snow on these passes is prone to turning icy during overnight hours and early mornings. Furthermore, shaded switchbacks on these routes often remain hazardous, as they are the slowest sections to clear once the sun rises.
