Rare Hurricane Threatens Mexico This Thanksgiving Weekend, Sets Two New Records

By Chris Spears

DENVER (CBS4) - Once again we're dealing with a major hurricane off the coast of western Mexico. It's a sign of just how warm the waters are in that part of the Pacific Ocean.

There's even a remote chance that moisture from the storm could impact Colorado's weather in the days ahead, depending on what happens with a broad area of low pressure sitting west of our state.

(credit: CBS4/Colorado's Weather Center)

As of 2 p.m. Wednesday Hurricane Sandra had sustained winds of 115 mph making it a Category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

The storm set two new records after its rapid intensification.

it's the ninth major hurricane to form this year in the eastern part of the Northern Pacific Ocean, the most ever observed in a single season

it's the latest major hurricane ever documented in waters that border North America

(credit: CBS4/Colorado's Weather Center)

Current forecast models weaken the storm over the next few days but do have it making landfall somewhere in the northern part of Mexico over the last half of the holiday weekend.

Meteorologist Chris Spears writes about stories related to weather and climate in Colorado. Check out his bio, connect with him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter @ChrisCBS4.