Northern Arizona enjoys unusually wet, record-setting May

PHOENIX — It’s a toss up whether northern Arizona will get a white Christmas, but a white Memorial Day? Keep dreaming.

But that’s what happened up north last Monday, the conclusion to an unusually precipitous May across Arizona’s high country.

Several areas in northern Arizona, including Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon, saw higher than average precipitation totals for the month.

Prescott, Phantom Ranch and the Grand Canyon all recorded their wettest May in history.

“We haven’t seen a May like this in quite some time,” Mark O’Malley with the National Weather Service in Phoenix told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Friday.

Almost every destination up north receives on average fewer than an inch of precipitation in May, but most blew past that.

Williams received 3.45 inches of precipitation — the most for anywhere in northern Arizona — and surpassed its May average by almost three inches.

This May has been one of the wettest on record for much of the central and northern portions of the state. Here are the May precipitation numbers and rankings. #azwx pic.twitter.com/Zq2aZbycEj

— NWS Flagstaff (@NWSFlagstaff) May 31, 2019

Prescott (3.42 inches), the Grand Canyon (3.15 inches) and Flagstaff (3.02 inches) also saw an unusually wet month.

What caused the wet conditions? O’Malley said the lingering influence of El Niño played a big role.

Remember this snowy scene from just a few short days ago (Thursday)? We’re expecting nearly a repeat on Memorial Day with accumulating snow in the morning from Flagstaff north towards Grand Canyon. Plan accordingly! #azwx pic.twitter.com/yD7IHe5W1F

— NWS Flagstaff (@NWSFlagstaff) May 26, 2019

“We’ve had storm systems sitting over Arizona keeping us nice and cold but it’s also provided all the severe weather and all the flooding across the central part of the United States,” O’Malley said.

O’Malley isn’t sure how the wet May will affect the summer months, but one thing is clear — winter will be here again in no time.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Jim Cross contributed to this report.

[newsletter][/newsletter]

Related

Phoenix matches lowest recorded Memorial Day high temperatureMore snow piles on Flagstaff, high country as Phoenix skies clear upWhat’s on your ballot: Prop 316 would limit Arizona cities’ ability to increase grocery taxesAuthorities investigating possible new ransom note in Nancy Guthrie casePhoenix Fire Department introduces 3 new search dogs: Bunker, Ryder and SawyerMan facing 2nd degree murder charge after fatal west Phoenix shooting