Light rain falls on Phoenix area early, a little more to come Friday

PHOENIX — Early risers in metro Phoenix had to slow down Friday when they hit the streets and freeways after overnight rain slickened their paths.

Rain was predicted to last through the morning and into the afternoon, Jaret Rogers, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Phoenix bureau, told KTAR News 92.3 FM.

The light showers managed to leave measurable rain at the gauge at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, with .02 inches noted around 6:30 a.m.

“We may even see a few thunderstorms develop later this afternoon,” Rogers said.

“It’s not expected to be really intense,” he added.

But the rain and cooler weather that came along with it was not expected to stick around.

ABC15 meteorologist Iris Hermosillo told KTAR News the Valley will be dry by Friday night, and temperatures were expected to rise over the weekend.

Friday’s high was probably going to be in the mid-60s.

Saturday and Sunday will be partly sunny with highs in the upper 60s to 70 degrees.

Valley freeways are wet and slick this morning! Slow down and allow plenty of extra travel time for your morning commute. #PhxTrafic #azwx pic.twitter.com/NMYgbaxIVe

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) December 7, 2018

629 AM: Phoenix Sky Harbor has picked up .02" since midnight, making the storm total .05" so far. Chances for showers continue throughout the morning. #azwx

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) December 7, 2018

There wasn’t a lot of snow falling in Flagstaff — there was fog instead — but what’s on the ground was enough for the Arizona Department of Public Safety to issue a warning:

“We will stop you, we will cite you,” for pulling over along the highways to play in the snow, Trooper Kameron Lee told KTAR 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Morning News.

“That has nothing to do with us just not wanting you to be there. It has everything to do with safety,” he said.

“We cannot have you stopping on the side of a highway or freeway or interstate … there are designated snow-play areas. They are set up to be safe away from traffic.”

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

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

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