Bundle up for wet New Year’s Eve, rest of cold week in metro Phoenix

PHOENIX – Chances were good Monday for the last rain of 2018 to hit Phoenix and more cold weather would definitely stretch into the new year.

There was a 60 percent chance for light rain and the high for New Year’s Eve was expected to be around 53 degrees, National Weather Service meteorologist Austin Jamison in Phoenix told KTAR News 92.3 FM.

Rain would fall by the afternoon, he said, and slow down by evening.

“Some places may only get sprinkles,” Jamison said.

But it’s the cold that has been noteworthy. Freeze warnings were to go into place in the Valley overnight Wednesday and Thursday.

Freezing temperatures likely again over the lower deserts Wed & Thu in the wake of the cold winter system that will move south into the area today. Freeze Watches in effect for much of the deserts both mornings including the greater Phoenix area. #azwx #cawx pic.twitter.com/8Ezq3oDAln

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) December 31, 2018

Temperatures were “very much below normal even for this time of year, which is the coldest time of year,” Jamison said.

Highs were likely to top out in the mid-30s at least through Thursday. “That day might be coldest of all,” he said.

It’s an @abc15 Weather Action Day as a winter storm is set to bring BIG impacts on this last day of 2018.
Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories for northern/eastern AZ. Snow levels down to 3000 feet.
Valley rain showers this afternoon and evening. #abc15wx #azwx pic.twitter.com/2OOBCK488W

— Iris Hermosillo (@IrisABC15) December 31, 2018

Residents in northern Arizona started to feel the effects of the snowfall Monday afternoon: Officials advised people to stay off the roads until the storms passed.

STAY HOME IN THE SNOW

All the triangles on the map indicate either crashes, closures, or impassable conditions. Please delay travel today. #aztraffic pic.twitter.com/ZjHHGyntZc

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) December 31, 2018

TRAVEL ALERT: I-17 is extremely slow in both directions between New River and Flagstaff due to the storm. We remind motorists to avoid travel if possible until the storm subsides. #aztraffic #azwx pic.twitter.com/XzM9hxBmWw

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) December 31, 2018

Andrew Deemer with the weather service in Phoenix said residents in places like Anthem, Cave Creek and nearby communities with a higher elevation could see a flake of snow or two Monday, but rain was more likely.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Ali Vetnar contributed to this report.

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