Winter storm blankets northern Arizona roads in snow, brings light rain to metro Phoenix

PHOENIX — The effects of a winter storm are being felt across Arizona on Wednesday, with light rain and chilly temperatures in the Valley and snow up north.

Earlier in the week, the National Weather Service predicted that the cold front would cool Valley temperatures and bring possible rainfall.

“Right now, it looks like a few bands going over the West Valley, around Sun City, Luke Air Force Base, traveling across Glendale,” NWS meteorologist Alicia Ryan told KTAR News 92.3 FM around 1:45 p.m. “Right now, they all seem to be moving from southwest to northeast so then, we see another stretch of bands going into north Scottsdale, Cave Creek, into higher terrain area.”

She said Valley residents can expect to see a few hundredths of an inch at most.

A couple more weather systems will influence the region before the end of the workweek, the first bringing widespread gusty winds today and precip chances mostly focused over Central/Northern AZ higher terrain. Forecast highs today are 5-8°F below normal for the date. #azwx #cawx pic.twitter.com/tYxjsYQZMI

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) February 18, 2026

“It’s looking more into the Foothills, so just north northeast of the Cave Creek Foothills, into Sunflower,” Ryan said. “So, really, in the northeast portions of Maricopa County.”

She advised those across metro Phoenix to expect gusty winds Wednesday.

“The Phoenix metro area, right now, we are seeing gusts in the low to mid-20 mph,” Ryan said. “So it’s still going to be pretty breezy out there for this afternoon.”

The possibility of light rain will remain in the forecast throughout the workweek.

“It looks like Thursday night into early Friday morning, there is another passage that can bring some rain,” Ryan explained. “Chances I see similar area where it’s more northern Maricopa County into the Foothills. anywhere between 20 and 30% and it’s just moving eastwards into the higher trains in the Gila County.”

Things will dry out and warm up by the start of the weekend, she added. High temperatures are expected to remain in the low 60s through the week before rising into the 70s on Saturday and 80s by Sunday.

Snow falls in northern Arizona as roads get dangerous

In the high country, a winter storm warning is in effect for the Kaibab Plateau and Mogollon Rim until 8 p.m. Wednesday.

About 5-10 inches of snow are expected in the Flagstaff, Munds Park and Williams areas.

Lower elevations in northern Arizona are under a winter weather advisor until 7 p.m. Prescott is expected to get 1-2 inches of snow, while 2-4 inches is in the forecast for the Grand Canyon South Rim.

Heads up if you’re on US 180. Winter driving conditions continue throughout Northwestern Arizona.

It bears repeating:

❄️Plan your route in advance.
❄️Notify someone of your route, destination and arrival time.
❄️Keep your fuel tank 3/4 full.

MORE: https://t.co/j04gqUe5Fm https://t.co/9IzwvDUGGk

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) February 18, 2026

Motorists are being warned about potentially treacherous driving conditions along Interstate 40 between Ash Fork and Flagstaff and on Interstate 17 between Flagstaff and Stoneman Lake.

The Arizona Snowbowl ski resort closed down for the day due to high winds across the mountain.

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