Arizona winter storm updates: Winter weather will impact travel

As a storm system moves in from the West Coast, Arizona was expected to see rain, snow and possible flooding.

The heaviest rainfall was expected Tuesday into Wednesday. A half an inch to an inch of widespread rain was predicted for the southwest part of Arizona, with higher levels locally, and up to 1.5 inches across south-central Arizona, with locally higher levels coming in through thunderstorms, officials said.

Northern Arizona was predicted to receive significant snowfall, officials said. Flagstaff and Williams were forecast to receive 9 to 13 inches of snow and Forest Lakes, near Show Low, could get between 13 and 19 inches.

Flood watches were in effect in southwest Arizona and portions of south-central areas of the state.

Follow our reporting for the latest updates on the effects of the rain, snow and weather forecast news.

Wednesday predicted to be a wet one for Arizona

Fueled by the atmospheric river coming from California, Wednesday will have scattered showers in Arizona and heavy snow in the north.

Winter weather continues to impact travel throughout northern Arizona late Tuesday evening. Road closures have been reported for Desert View Drive (State Route 64) between Grand Canyon Village and the park's East Entrance due to the major winter storm. The Hermit Road, west of the village, has also been closed.

Flood watches for south-central Arizona will remain in effect through Wednesday morning.

Rainy conditions in the Valley are expected for most of the week. The Waste Management Phoenix Open begins on Thursday, it's unclear how the rain will affect the highly-anticipated golf tournament.

― Marcus Reichley

Coconino County announces road closures 

County public works officials closed a seven-mile stretch of Lake Mary Road, also known as Forest Highway-3, due to an approaching winter storm, Coconino County officials announced on social media Tuesday. 

The closure began at 1 p.m. Tuesday due to “high winds and drifting snow from large snowstorms” forecast to hit the area, the announcement stated. 

The closure is between the north entrance of Mormon Lake, near the scenic overlook, and the south entrance of Mormon Lake, which is about 35 miles southeast of Flagstaff. 

A closure also occurred on Perkinsville Road (FH-73) at White Horse Road, nearly 8 miles south of Williams. Stoneman Lake Road also will be closed between Interstate 17 and Lake Mary Road. 

Visibility becomes limited during drifting, and conditions become harder for county snowplows to keep the roadway clear of snow. The closures, which must be done in advance of storms, also frees up county public works' resources to keep other roads open and passable, the county said. 

― Michelle Cruz 

Coconino County Sheriff's Office warns of hazardous conditions

The Coconino County Sheriff's Office issued a press release on Tuesday afternoon, urging caution for residents in the area following the issuance of a Winter Storm Warning by the National Weather Service.

"Storm totals above 10,000 feet on the San Francisco Peaks could reach nearly 4 feet over the next 4 days," the agency said. "If maximum totals accumulate, dangerous avalanche conditions could result near and above tree line. As new snow loads the current snowpack, weak layers at the bottom and middle, could release, resulting in large to very large avalanches."

It added that the Kachina Peaks Avalanche Center recommends skiers and snowboarders avoid slopes near or above the treeline until the danger subsides.

The sheriff's office also recommended travelers prepare for the unexpected as the winter storms continue to batter the region.

"It is generally best to wait out the closure in your vehicle or in town rather than attempt an unknown alternate route. Travelers should be prepared with extra supplies in their vehicles with an expectation of longer travel times and occasional road closures."

― Perry Vandell

How to safely drive in the rain as storms hit metro Phoenix 

It may not be the monsoon, but rainfall and stormy weather were expected this week across Arizona, according to the National Weather Service.  

Many people don't think about it until the time comes, but knowing what to do if caught out on the road during heavy rainfall is crucial.  

The Arizona Department of Transportation offered some tips to remember when navigating rainy roadways. Here are six tips for driving during one of these storms. 

― Abigail Beck 

Sprinkles make their way into metro Phoenix

Light rain made its way through Metro Phoenix area Tuesday afternoon. Most rain has been expected to fall after 3 p.m. with more light to moderate rainfall in the evening, according to officials.

The flood watch for south-central Arizona remains in effect through Wednesday morning. The expected impacts of the rain are anticipated to be minor to moderate, including longer commute times and minor roadway flooding.

During this time, Maricopa County Sheriff's Office recommends avoiding several areas, including Boxcar, Needlerock, Camp Creek, Four Peaks, Lower Sycamore and the Tonto National Forest areas.

Wind conditions are forecasted to intensify in southwest Arizona throughout the evening following thunderstorms in Yuma. These storms may bring winds reaching up to 40 mph. As a result, difficult driving conditions are expected for high-profile vehicles on Interstate Highways 8 and 10, particularly as the evening progresses.

Driving tonight? Here are 6 tips for driving safely in Arizona rain

— Kira Caspers

How weather affects airplanes and delays flights 

Weather accounts for about 70% of delays in the National Airspace System, according to Federal Aviation Administration statistics, costing passengers and airlines billions of dollars a year.

Upward of 2,000 flights were canceled on a recent Monday after a bitter winter storm hit most of the United States, according to tracking site FlightAware. But aircraft materials are made to withstand extreme temperatures, so why are so many flights delayed and canceled due to winter weather?

Ernie Satterhwait, a multi-engine commercial pilot and flight instructor, said the issue, aside from icing conditions and barometric pressure, is not what occurs in the air, but what happens on the ground.  

“Jet engines like cold air, they are most efficient in high altitude, where it's colder,” Satterhwait said. “The higher density of the air gives the plane better lift with less power, meaning better performance in colder weather.”

— Caralin Nunes

5 tips for driving in the snow everyone should know 

As snow was expected to hit parts of Arizona, drivers needed to be prepared for snowy and icy roads. 

Commuters in areas like Flagstaff, the snowiest city in Arizona, Prescott and other towns in higher elevations will be more accustomed to these driving conditions. But even the most experienced drivers must be prepared when facing icy roads and follow some key guidelines to stay safe. 

Here's what you need to know about driving on snowy roads this season. 

— Raphael Romero Ruiz 

Northern Arizona school district releasing students early due to snow

Williams Unified School District in northern Arizona announced it would be releasing students early on Tuesday due to the weather.

The school district said in a post on Facebook that it would release students on its half-day schedule; afternoon kindergarten was canceled. Afterschool activities were also canceled.

Officials told students and families to watch for further updates about school on Wednesday and Thursday.

— Shelby Slade

Snow falling in Flagstaff with more expected this afternoon

The Flagstaff area had received about an inch of new snow, the National Weather Service said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, at 11:15 a.m. on Tuesday.

The snow level was at 7,000 feet and was expected to fall as the day continued, the post said.

People in northern Arizona should be prepared for "rapidly deteriorating conditions" on Tuesday afternoon and evening.

— Shelby Slade

Mesa offers residents free sandbags ahead of storm

Mesa residents could pick up free sandbags in preparation for the storms this week.

Sand and empty bags would be available at the following locations:

• Fire Station 202, 830 S. Stapley Drive.
• Fire Station 205, 730 S. Greenfield Road.
• Fire Station 209, 7035 E. Southern Ave.
• Fire Station 212, 2430 E. Ellsworth Road.

Prefilled sandbags would be available at the following locations:

• Transportation Building, 300 E. Sixth St. (west side of building).
• East Mesa Service Center, 6935 E. Decatur St. (front parking lot).

— Shelby Slade

Storm system won’t hit Arizona as hard as it did California. Here’s why

A series of severe winter storms propelled by a merging of powerful atmospheric rivers and fueled by El Niño have rocked Southern California, setting daily records for rainfall across the lower region of the state.

Downtown Los Angeles set a record of 4.10 inches Sunday, breaking the previous 1927 daily record of 2.55 inches. Long Beach airport set a record of 1.50 inches, and Santa Barbara airport received 2.39 inches of rain, breaking the previous record of half an inch in 1990.

But as the storm moves inland, Arizonans can expect weaker systems and less rain. The Phoenix area is on track to receive anywhere from half an inch to an inch, far less than what's fallen in Southern California, though still close to a month's worth in one hit.

Here’s what to expect as the storm system hits Arizona.

— Caralin Nunes