Snow looks pretty but could make for messy driving in Arizona high country

PHOENIX — Snow forced drivers to slow down in Arizona’s high country early Tuesday, flocking trees, covering yards and sending state workers in plows to clear roads.

In and around Flagstaff, two inches had fallen by sunrise. The National Weather Service said snow began falling past Payson late Monday, especially hitting Forest Lakes off State Route 260, where about a half-foot had collected.

“It’s not super unusual to get snow in October,” Darren McCollum, with the National Weather Service’s Flagstaff bureau, told KTAR News 92.3 FM.

“But it’s a stark contrast to October of last year.”

Flagstaff didn’t receive any measurable snowfall until January of this year.

Several roads near the Grand Canyon National Park were also closed due to the weather.

North Rim Cape Royal and Point Imperial roads are closed due to snowy weather. The status of the park roads can be obtained by calling 928-638-7496.

— Grand Canyon NPS (@GrandCanyonNPS) October 16, 2018

Other areas to get snow included Clints Well, Show Low, Pinetop Lakeside and Heber.

Measured 2 inches of snow 1 mile north of Pulliam Airport in Flagstaff. Still falling. #azwx pic.twitter.com/rqAPQI68Lf

— Darren McCollum (@DarrenMcCollum) October 16, 2018

Good morning #Flagstaff! How about that snowfall? ❄️😍 #azwx @NWSFlagstaff pic.twitter.com/IiUwO1ATMW

— Christina Cantu 🗝 (@Woke49erGirl) October 16, 2018

An ADOT snowplow driver clearing snow from the highway on SR 260 near Forest Lakes. Slow down and give plows a wide berth. #aztraffic #azwx pic.twitter.com/95tHi5KVJi

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) October 16, 2018

Snow is falling on Milton Road in Flagstaff. Slow down on slick roads and give yourself an extra cushion near other vehicles. Delay travel. #aztraffic #azwx pic.twitter.com/b3xKzFMAVd

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) October 16, 2018

We have snow in #Pinetop #azwx Getting home today could be interesting #Aztraffic pic.twitter.com/BOnY3sy9hH

— Catherine Wilcox 🌵 (@CatherineAriz) October 16, 2018

Tourism in the area suffered because of the lack of snow last winter.

When a good bunch of it fell Jan. 10, that ended the ninth-longest wait on record.

Rain will replace the fluffy white precipitation by late morning or early afternoon, McCollum added, but by then another couple of inches  of snow will have come to rest.

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

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