Springtime snow falls in northern Arizona, bit more likely to come
May 20, 2019, 7:54 AM | Updated: Jun 18, 2019, 12:08 pm
(Twitter Photo/@AZ49erGirl)
(Twitter Photo/@AZ49erGirl)
PHOENIX – It may be a cool spring in Phoenix this week, but it looks and feels like winter in the northern part of Arizona after snow began falling Sunday.
The National Weather Service bureau near Flagstaff reported that places above 6,000 feet had a good chance of seeing more snow Monday, but the most would hit 8,000 feet and higher.
“It’s not unusual for Flagstaff and much of the high country in northern Arizona to receive snowfall in the May time period,” bureau meterologist Nathan Lynum told KTAR News 92.3 FM.
Flagstaff averages less than an inch of snow in May.
6:25 PM MST – Yep, that is snow falling at the office here in Bellemont. Our temperature has fallen to 32° over the past half hour. Showers will gradually diminish over the next hour or two with up to a half inch of snow possible from Bellemont to Flagstaff. #azwx pic.twitter.com/erI81YwIiF
— NWS Flagstaff (@NWSFlagstaff) May 20, 2019
It’s definitely snowing in West Flagstaff right now. 😳 #azwx @NWSFlagstaff @FOX10Phoenix pic.twitter.com/TQQoI4cxyK
— Christina Cantu 🗝 (@Az49erGirl) May 20, 2019
“We could see an inch or so in Flagstaff and on the San Francisco Peaks we’re looking at anywhere from 2 to 4 inches,” Lynum said.
A high of 39 degrees was expected.
Today's storm will bring cooler and breezy conditions to the #Phoenix area. There's also a 10% rain chance in the Valley today.
Up north, we'll likely see snow showers today. Yes, SNOW. #abc15wx #azwx pic.twitter.com/UIsTOdEkBG
— Iris Hermosillo (@IrisABC15) May 20, 2019
This storm will drop intermittent snow showers during the day before tapering off in the evening, but more snow could come down Wednesday.
The storm that has rolled into the skies is a far cry from the system that pounded the city Feb. 21. That day a record 31.6 inches of snow piled up by 5 p.m.
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However much flaky stuff falls, it will push the gauge at Flagstaff Airport past 117.2 inches of snow that was recorded for the winter.
The Flagstaff airport has only seen more than 3 inches of snow on May 15 and beyond a few times.
The latest snowfall on record for the airport is June 8 more than 100 years ago.
One final storm to close out the season! 🎥: 5.19.19#longestseasonever pic.twitter.com/uJlesTDOF7
— Arizona Snowbowl (@AZSnowbowl) May 19, 2019
A surprising May snowfall! South Rim roads are mostly clear this morning, however watch for icy spots. (6:15 am Monday, May 20, 2019) Expect periods of low visibility. Rain and high elevation snow will continue to develop across the #GrandCanyon region today. – mq #Arizona #AZWX pic.twitter.com/Dyj8sT6jQW
— Grand Canyon NPS (@GrandCanyonNPS) May 20, 2019
Snow! #azwx pic.twitter.com/CpprgpljpS
— Strawberry, AZ 🍓 (@Strawberry_AZ) May 20, 2019
KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Jim Cross contributed to this report.
