Snow in downtown Phoenix this week at the Arizona Science Center

PHOENIX — Downtown Phoenix will see snow this week, and it will be confined to one area, in front of the Arizona Science Center.

The science center is holding its annual Snow Week where there are activities relating to the cold stuff and staying warm. The highlight of the event will be the estimated 70 tons of snow blanketing Heritage Park.

“We know that our guests in the Valley don’t get a chance to see snow compared to the higher elevations and other parts of the country,” said Sari Custer, vice president of exhibits and collections for the science center. “We will talk about snow and weather, but really we wanted to give everyone a chance to play in the snow and to be able to feel what it’s like to walk on it — roll it into a ball and make a snowman and do whatever you do with snow when you have it.”

Some of the activities the center will hold include, winter themed demonstrations of the transfer of heat and learning why salt is used to deice roads. Other activities include fire and ice, hot ice, sticky ice, liquid nitrogen, gumdrop domes, sweet reactions, snowflake fractuals, good vibrations, combustion, boo bubbles, scents of the season, wicked wildfires and quantum levitation.

“Of course we are doing the Arizona Science Center twist on the holidays and winter and showcasing what winter could be like everywhere,” Custer said. “We are really excited for families to come down and explore. Our mission is to educate and engage curious minds and we hope that families will have a chance to do that together. They are going to come down and have a lot of fun but learn something too.”

Snow Week at the science center concludes on Jan. 1 and the center will also add a twist to New Year’s Eve by having a fashion show with recycled holiday wrapping paper and a countdown at 2 p.m.

“It’s always New Year’s some place,’ Custer said.

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