Rain heads out of metro Phoenix but cold weather will rush in for bit

PHOENIX – The weather front that brought rain to metro Phoenix this week also brought cold that will drop early Thursday temperatures close to freezing.

The National Weather Service forecast a low of 35 degrees, only three degrees higher than the freezing point.

It's going to be COLD in the morning on Thursday. Many desert locales to fall into the low to mid 30s. Hard Freeze Warning in effect for the Globe/San Carlos/Tonto Basin areas with low into the 20s. Cover sensitive plants. Protect your pets! #azwx pic.twitter.com/lvnQ84y2tN

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) February 6, 2019

Look for very cool high temps today in the wake of a passing cold front. Phoenix will only climb into the mid 50s for the most part with a high of 57 forecast at Sky Harbor airport. Normal high today is 69 degrees. #azwx pic.twitter.com/bctxRWDFME

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) February 6, 2019

Wednesday’s high was going to be 57 degrees, followed by 59 the next day. But then it will jump into the mid to upper 60s by the weekend and into the next week, ABC15‘s Iris Hermosillo predicted.

Here’s your 7-day forecast via @IrisABC15, Arizona’s most accurate forecast. Tune in to @AZMorningNews for the latest weather news: https://t.co/yZGKw0g8ON pic.twitter.com/c9LWE0P5G0

— KTAR News 92.3 (@KTAR923) February 6, 2019

Clouds dropped less than an inch of rain in most spots around town, although an area north of Carefree was hit with more than 1.25 inches, and small-stream flood warnings were in effect.

Clouds also unloaded some hail. A hiker at Phoenix Mountains Preserve posted video of his trek that was interrupted by a pelting.

The rains that chilled the air in the Valley did even more chilling in northern and eastern Arizona.

Heavy snowfall in Flagstaff created dangerous driving conditions and forced the closure of public schools. More than 9 inches had landed by 6 a.m. and up to 2 more inches could be on its way.

Blowing snow limited visibility on Interstate 40 just south of the city, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Forecasters said conditions would improve gradually from the west during the day. Travelers were advised to take emergency supplies such as food and water in their vehicles.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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