Snowstorm shuts down schools, roads, offices in Arizona high country

PHOENIX – Snow blowing across Arizona high country forced closure of roads, schools and city government offices and the region is bracing for more.

Between 6-8 inches of snow fell overnight in Flagstaff and another 3-5 inches could fall Tuesday, the Nation Weather Service office said. A winter weather advisory is in effect until 11 p.m.

“This system [is going to] move across the area through the day,” weather bureau meteorologist Darren McCollum told KTAR News 92.3 FM.

Here is a range of snowfall reports we've received from last night/this morning's snowfall. Snow showers will continue through the afternoon hours, so we continue to encourage delaying travel! #azwx pic.twitter.com/kmAb3nUKLv

— NWS Flagstaff (@NWSFlagstaff) January 17, 2023

Amid the storms, the Flagstaff Unified School District announced it will be closed Tuesday. Coconino Community College canceled classes Tuesday at the Flagstaff campuses and Northern Arizona University called off classes Tuesday and Wednesday at the mountain campus.

City administrative and nonessential facilities were closed but other workers were going to be busy: officials tweeted Monday streets and parks crews were preparing for “more significant snowfall with the next 24 hours.”

State Route 64 is closed near the Grand Canyon, between mileposts 241 and 268, because of weather conditions, the Arizona Department of Transportation said. Interstate 40 westbound near Winona (milepost 210) also closed around 8:30 p.m.

The snow may be a hassle to many, but for others it’s a chance to play. But that place is not the side of the freeway, the Arizona Department of Transportation said on social media Monday.

“The shoulder of Interstate 17 is not the place for sledding or building snowmen. We get it. People are excited to see the snow. But northbound I-17 at milepost 314 — this is where these photos were taken — is not a snow playground. Highway shoulders are for emergencies only. Don’t stop, park and play in the snow,” ADOT said.

The snowfall totals are outpacing last year’s 56 inches. As of Tuesday, about 70 inches have accumulated this season.

McCollum said more than 30 inches have already come down from the two systems since the weekend.

After a couple of days of sun Wednesday and Thursday, snow will return to the forecast.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Jim Cross and the Associated Press contributed to this report .

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