Winter returns to metro Phoenix, other parts of Arizona
Mar 29, 2016, 8:58 AM | Updated: 9:02 am
(Webcam)
PHOENIX — Spring is, technically, just over a week old, but weather around Arizona took a step back into winter Tuesday with gray clouds, falling temperatures and in some areas, snow.
The mid 80s are over! We're looking at a cold front bringing mid/upper 60 degree highs to the central deserts & Phoenix today. Cool. #azwx
— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) March 29, 2016
At 731…snow shower continue across northern Arizona. #azwx pic.twitter.com/GDlbzucUtx
— NWS Flagstaff (@NWSFlagstaff) March 29, 2016
The morning low at Sky Harbor Airport was 57 degrees, but the high was expected to be 68, which is low enough to warrant long sleeves around these parts.
Clouds scattered droplets early in the morning over metro Phoenix. There hasn’t been measurable rain in the Valley for 57 days and forecasters said the chance of real rain was minimal.
But the gray skies sure made it look as if rain was coming.
Thing definitely got wet farther north. The Arizona Department of Transportation reported ice on Interstate 40 west of Flagstaff and slush on U.S. 89 at the summit north of the city.
The Flagstaff area had plenty of snow earlier in the year. Schools were closed and drivers faced whiteout conditions.
That won’t be the case this week.
Wind also kicked up a fuss in Arizona, some gusts reaching 69 mph at the Springerville airport.
The National Weather Service issued an advisory for strong gusty winds for much of northern Arizona into the evening.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.