Northern Arizona expected to get snow storm, high winds this weekend

PHOENIX — Plans for those heading north could be affected by heavy winds and snow that is forecast to fall in the high country Saturday night and Sunday morning.

The National Weather Service is predicting Flagstaff to receive up to 4 inches of snow during the weekend, mostly on Saturday evening with lower temperatures.

The high temperature on Saturday is forecast to be 44 degrees. That will drop to 21 degrees by the end of the night.

We are still forecasting snow to move across northern Arizona Saturday night into Sunday. Here's an idea for how much is expected for different areas and when. #azwx pic.twitter.com/4KcDZmRuBq

— NWS Flagstaff (@NWSFlagstaff) February 12, 2021

Snowfall amounts expected in other parts of northern Arizona include up to 3 inches at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, up to 5 inches in Show Low and up to 4 inches at Window Rock.

Strong wind gusts will also be a factor up north throughout the weekend.

Gusts are expected to reach 35 mph in Flagstaff and 40 mph in some areas of northern Arizona, including at the Grand Canyon.

The Arizona Department of Transportation is warning drivers to be cautious and patient because of the expected wintry conditions.

If the forecast holds, this will be the third this time year the high country has seen a heavy winter storm.

Two back-to-back storms in late January blanketed Flagstaff with more than 2 feet of snow.

In Phoenix, there’s a 50% chance of rain Saturday night. Rainfall totals aren’t expected to exceed more than a tenth of an inch from the storm.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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