Published on : 31 Oct 2026
TRENDING: A MAJOR STORM THAT FOX WEATHER SAYS COULD AFFECT 35 STATES BEGINS IN THE SOUTHWEST THIS WEEKEND. FLOOD WATCHES COVER PARTS OF ARIZONA, NEW MEXICO, UTAH AND COLORADO, AND THE WEATHER PREDICTION CENTER HAS A MODERATE RISK OF FLASH FLOODING IN THE FOUR CORNERS FROM SUNDAY NOV 1 TO MONDAY NOV 2. SOUTHWEST COLORADO IS STILL RECOVERING FROM LAST WEEK’S FLOODING. HERE IS WHAT TO CHECK BEFORE YOU DRIVE OR FLY.
Published: October 31, 2026 | Source: National Weather Service and NOAA Weather Prediction Center
This is a travel-risk guide. Forecasts can change, and rainfall totals are for specific areas, not whole states. This is a different storm from our Oct 28 western US and Alaska winter storm guide.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Storm | A strong low near the Pacific Northwest steers Pacific moisture into the Southwest, then the system moves east (Fox Weather) |
| Reach | Fox Weather’s headline says it could affect 35 states. It does not list them all |
| Sat Oct 31 (Halloween) | Moderate-to-heavy rain in Southern California, including Los Angeles and San Diego, which could disrupt Halloween plans |
| Sun Nov 1 | A major flood event begins in the Southwest. Fox Weather says a Level 3 of 4 excessive-rainfall risk covers more than 65,000 sq miles, including nearly all of central and northern Arizona |
| Mon Nov 2 | The storm moves into the Plains and Midwest. About 40 million people from Texas to Wisconsin are under a Level 1 of 4 flash-flood threat |
| Tue Nov 3 (Election Day) | Rain across the central US, with severe thunderstorms possible in parts of the South |
| Nov 5–6 | Heavy rain is possible along the I-95 corridor |
Fox Weather notes that models disagree on where the low will form and how strong it will become, so severe-storm locations are uncertain.
The Weather Prediction Center has a Moderate Risk of excessive rainfall for the Four Corners from about 5am MST Sunday Nov 1 to 5am MST Monday Nov 2 (The Watchers, citing the WPC). “Moderate” means at least a 40% chance of rainfall exceeding flash-flood guidance within 25 miles of a point.
| Area | Watch |
|---|---|
| Flagstaff office: Coconino, Navajo and Apache counties, including the Navajo Nation | Early Sunday Nov 1 to Monday Nov 2 |
| Grand Junction office: Four Corners, Upper Dolores, Animas and San Juan basins, southwestern San Juan Mountains, parts of southeastern Utah. A separate watch covers the eastern San Juans and Upper Rio Grande Valley | Sunday into Monday. The San Luis Valley watch may run into late Tuesday night |
| Albuquerque office: north-central, northwest and west-central New Mexico | Early Sunday to Monday morning |
| Tucson office: southeastern Arizona | Late Oct 31 to early Nov 2 |
| Area | Forecast |
|---|---|
| Southeastern Utah and southwestern Colorado | 1 to 3 inches. Maxima of 2 to 4 inches are possible around the San Juan Mountains |
| New Mexico, near and west of the Continental Divide | 1 to 2 inches |
| Arizona, along the Mogollon Rim | 1 to 2 inches, with 2 to 3 inches possible at higher elevations |
| Phoenix to Flagstaff | Up to 5 inches in total through Monday, per Fox Weather |
| Flagstaff | Already 5.69 inches in October. About 3 more could cause significant flash flooding (Fox Weather) |
Hazards: flash flooding in low-lying areas, slot canyons and burn scars; fast rises on rivers and creeks; low-water crossings that become impassable; and clogged drains. Soils are saturated, so the same rain can cause more runoff.
Last week’s flooding hit the Four Corners hard:
| River | Forecast crest | Flood stage |
|---|---|---|
| Animas River near Cedar Hill | About 9.9 ft Monday | 10.5 ft |
| La Plata River below Redmesa | About 8.6 ft Monday | 9 ft |
| San Juan River at Shiprock | About 14 ft early Tuesday | 15.5 ft |
| San Francisco River near Reserve | About 13 ft Monday | 15 ft |
These are forecast crests below flood stage, so they are close, not over. Forecasts can change.
| City | What the sources say |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles and San Diego | Moderate-to-heavy rain on Saturday, possibly disrupting Halloween plans (Fox Weather) |
| Phoenix | Flood watch for the metro area on Oct 30. Rain continues into the weekend, with a flood risk through Monday |
| Salt Lake City | Not named in the sources we read. Only southeastern Utah is in the flood area |
| Las Vegas | Heavy rain caused flash flooding on Oct 30 (Fox Weather) |
| Gallup, NM | Low cloud and reduced visibility are possible at the first rain band |
No verified large-scale airline cancellations had been reported in the sources we read. Check airline waivers and your flight status before you leave.
✓ Turn around, don’t drown. Never drive through flooded roads or low-water crossings ✓ Avoid slot canyons, washes and burn-scar areas during the watch (Sunday into Monday) ✓ Check road status before you go: COtrip.org (Colorado), AZ511.gov, NMroads.com, udottraffic.utah.gov ✓ Allow extra time on US 160, US 550 and CO 151, where repairs and restrictions remain ✓ Watch for 30 to 40 mph winds on Monday, which can affect tall vehicles ✓ Carry water, food, a charged phone and a full tank. Cell coverage is limited in canyons and mountains ✓ Check your rental-car agreement for flood and unpaved-road clauses ✓ Sign up for local emergency alerts
✓ Check your airline’s app and any weather waivers before you leave ✓ Allow extra time to reach the airport. Roads can flood quickly ✓ If your Monday or Tuesday trip goes through the Plains or Midwest, check for rain and thunderstorm delays ✓ Keep receipts for meals and hotels
| Situation | What generally applies |
|---|---|
| Cancelled flight | You are entitled to a refund if you decline the rebooked flight (DOT rule) |
| Weather delay or cancellation | No fixed cash compensation. Meals and hotels depend on the airline’s policy, and are less likely for weather |
| Rebooking | Ask for the next flight, and for a waiver if one is issued |
| Insurance | Check travel insurance and card benefits for weather cover. Keep notices and receipts |
Posted By : Vinay
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and is based on information available at the time of publication. Travel advisories, airline schedules, airport operations, visa requirements, government regulations, and other travel-related information are subject to change without prior notice. While Travel Tourister makes reasonable efforts to verify information using official announcements, government publications, airline and airport communications, and other reliable sources, we cannot guarantee that all information remains complete, accurate, or up to date at all times. Readers should independently verify any information that may affect their travel plans with the relevant airline, airport authority, government agency, embassy, or other official source before making travel, financial, or other decisions. Travel Tourister shall not be liable for any direct or indirect loss, inconvenience, or damages arising from the use of or reliance on the information contained in this article. Nothing in this publication constitutes legal, immigration, financial, or professional travel advice. If you believe any information in this article is inaccurate or outdated, please contact our editorial team. We review all credible correction requests promptly and update our content whenever appropriate.
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