Rain, snow and wind sweep across Arizona

On By Littum

Get ready, Arizona. A winter storm is coming!

Winds are picking up, rain and snow are moving in, and temperatures are about to take a serious plunge across the state.

In Phoenix, today’s highs will remain in the low 70s, but things will cool down steadily through the middle of the week. There is even a slight chance of isolated showers in the valley, mainly between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.
Some areas may receive about a tenth of an inch of rain.

Heading north, snow levels will gradually drop to about 3,500 feet. Flagstaff could see one to three inches of snow, with six to eight inches possible over the San Francisco Peaks. Along the Mogollon Rim, most areas can expect up to two inches of snow.

However, strong winds will create blowing snow and low visibility, so it is not a good idea to travel Tuesday night into early Wednesday morning.

By Wednesday afternoon, snow showers will spread into southeastern Arizona. The highest peaks there could get as much as six to ten inches of fresh powder.

Out west, it’s more about the wind than the rain or snow.

ONE High wind warning is in effect for the Colorado River Valley from Tuesday morning through Wednesday afternoon. Gusts can reach up to 60 mph! If you’re planning on driving through western Arizona, especially in a high-profile vehicle, you might want to rethink those plans.

Wind advisory is also in place for parts of western Arizona, including Mohave County and parts of the Parker Valley. Expect wind gusts of up to 50 mph Tuesday and Wednesday.

Once the storm is over, cooler air will settle in.

In the Valley, daytime highs will drop into the low to mid 60s Wednesday through Friday. Morning lows will dip into the upper 30s to low 40s Thursday morning, and some remote areas could even see freezing temperatures overnight later in the week.

Freeze clocks is in effect Wednesday night into Thursday morning and again Thursday night into Friday morning for central and southeastern Arizona. This includes areas such as Eloy and Arizona City in Pinal County, Globe and Superior in Gila County, and Aguila Valley in Maricopa County.

Be sure to cover any exposed pipes and protect sensitive plants before the freezing temperatures arrive.