Rain, snow greets residents across the state on Christmas Eve

Dec 24, 2019, 9:58 AM | Updated: 12:30 pm

PHOENIX — A weather system moved through much of Arizona on Christmas Eve, with areas in north Phoenix receiving more than a quarter inch of rain in the morning hours.

“The persistent rain will last probably until around noon, maybe even longer in the East Valley,” National Weather Service meteorologist Chris Kuhlman told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Tuesday. “During the afternoon hours, it’ll be just isolated scattered showers, probably even a few thunderstorms might be out there this afternoon.”

Kuhlman says most of the rain showers will be ending around sunset and be generally quiet during the overnight hours.

“In the Phoenix area, in general, will see probably 1/2 an inch to 3/4 of an inch today,” he said. “There might be a slightly higher amount going in the northern part of Phoenix, toward Queen Creek and that area. That area might see around an inch.”

The National Weather Service is predicting a 40% chance of rain on Christmas Day. It’s been a while since the Phoenix area experienced a rainy Christmas, with the last moisture on Christmas Day coming back in 2008.

While the Valley is getting hit with rain, people in the high country are enjoying a white Christmas Eve, with snow levels expected to drop to 6,000 feet tonight and 5,000 feet on Wednesday night.

“In the high country, there’s quite a bit of snow that’s currently ongoing, and anywhere in the flagstaff area we could see five to even 10 inches of snow by the end of today or into Wednesday,” Kuhlman said.

Expect a wet Christmas Eve with a few isolated thunderstorms possible by this afternoon. Areas that see locally heavy rainfall could see some flooding issues. #azwx pic.twitter.com/SNo8FkeeGG

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) December 24, 2019

More moisture could be on the way for the Valley to end the week as another storm system is predicted to move in.

“We are expecting another weather system for Thursday and Friday, and this one we don’t necessarily know the track of it, but it looks like it will bring another round of showers, and maybe even a few thunderstorms Thursday night into early Friday,” Kuhlman said. “It’ll be more significant rain more toward the southwest like Yuma and going into southeast California. It’ll probably bring additional snow to the high country too.”

The greatest chances for rain today and tomorrow will remain to the east across south-central Arizona. Better chances for rain and high elevation snow are expected for this region with a system set to move through Thursday/Friday. #azwx #cawx pic.twitter.com/pc7xgkenzB

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) December 24, 2019