Storm brings rain to the Valley, snow in Flagstaff on Christmas

PHOENIX — A winter storm was blowing through the Valley on Christmas Eve and into Christmas morning, while residents in Flagstaff woke up to a blanket of snow on Christmas day.

By the time the clock struck 9 a.m. Saturday, 1.22 inches of rain had fallen at Sky Harbor International Airport since Thursday evening, the National Weather Service reported.

A map at the Maricopa County Flood Control website showed that McDowell Mountain in Fountain Hills received the most measurable rain at 2.09 inches, and in nearby north Scottsdale by Pinnacle Peak rain gauges captured 1.65 inches.

Totals varied across the Valley, according to map data. Parts of south Chandler hit 1.46 inches, a Phoenix gauge at Jackson Street and 7th Avenue saw 1.02 inches, and a portion of Mesa had 1.46 inches.

On Friday, rain gauges recorded the wettest December on record, according to NWS.

Rainfall wasn't just impressive at the airport, the Phoenix Rainfall Index just recorded its wettest December day on record and 9th wettest day all-time (calculated back to 1990).

The average rainfall around the metro today was 1.37". #azwx pic.twitter.com/edgGVyNnTJ

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) December 25, 2021

There remained a slight chance for showers across the Valley before 7 p.m, the NWS said. Chances for showers on Sunday were 40%.

“If you’re out and about on Christmas morning for your services just stay alert to the possibility of locally dense fog,” James Sawtell, National Weather Service, told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Friday.

Higher elevations had light snow and travelers were advised to allow extra time as snow and rain could mix, causing hazardous driving conditions.

Wondering about road conditions during this ongoing winter weather?

Check @ArizonaDOT website https://t.co/XrF6VRMObL for the most up to date information.#azwx pic.twitter.com/gJa777bm79

— NWS Flagstaff (@NWSFlagstaff) December 24, 2021

The skies in the Valley are expected to be cloudy throughout the week, with chances of rain varying from 20-40% between Sunday and Thursday.

The high Saturday in Phoenix was predicted at 65 degrees with a low of 52 while Sunday is forecasted to cool down to 62 and a low of 44.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Taylor Tasler contributed to this report.

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