Wet weather? Thanksgiving week could start with rain in Phoenix, snow in Flagstaff

PHOENIX — The upcoming Thanksgiving holiday weekend is off to a wet start in Arizona.

The National Weather Service is reporting that Phoenix can expect light rain Sunday evening, and it will continue into Monday. The service also advises Flagstaff residents to prep for snowfall, which would be the first measurable snowfall in northern Arizona of the season.

“It’s too early to even talk what kind of amounts there would be because the snow levels are pretty uncertain still,” Megan Taylor with the weather service said. “In the higher elevations — above 8,000 or 9,000 feet — there could be some accumulation.”

Taylor said Nov. 21 — better known as Monday this year — is historically a typical day for Flagstaff to see its first significant snowfall of the winter.

Earlier this week, the weather service issued a hazardous weather outlook for Flagstaff that extends into the holiday week. It said gusty conditions are possible and warned of cooling temperatures.

Lows are expected to fall into the 20s.

The snowfall could also give a boost to Arizona Snowbowl, which has delayed its opening several times this year because of warm temperatures and little snow.

The weather moving into the state will also likely bring rain to the Valley.

“Not as much rain as what we initially had thought, still looking like, for the Phoenix area, a good bet of a half an inch,” Chris Kuhlman with the weather service said. “A few locations may see up to an inch.”

The rain will keep things cool in Phoenix. After weekend highs in the 80s, Monday is expected to be just above 70 degrees. Lows will be just above 50.

Those temperatures should continue through the Thanksgiving weekend.

KTAR’s Jim Cross contributed to this report.

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