Flagstaff is an idyllic community for those who appreciate all four distinct seasons, and is known to be cooler than its Phoenix counterpart due to its higher altitude.
City crews plow over 700 miles of roadway annually, including streets, alleys, paved paths, bike lanes and 27,000 driveways. More information regarding snow routes can be found on the Snow Operations – Route Maps by Maintenance Agencies webpage.
1. It’s Snowing
At 6,910 feet (2,106 meters), Flagstaff offers four distinct seasons and significantly cooler average temperatures than Phoenix. Snow typically arrives late November and can last through June on the San Francisco Peaks – providing plenty of opportunity for skiing, hiking and camping during this winter season!
Flagstaff, Arizona, is home to several popular ski resorts, including Arizona Snowbowl. Offering both lift-serviced downhill and cross-country trails for skiing enthusiasts of all levels and beginner lessons available within its boundary – Arizona Snowbowl makes an excellent destination both beginners and professionals.
Flagstaff Nordic Center provides beginner lessons to people of all ages; its cozy lodge features fireplace, snacks and beverages for apres-ski activities.
Due to heavy snowfall in northern Arizona on Wednesday, schools closed as did Mountain Campus classes at Northern Arizona University. Many highways also temporarily closed; although those closures have now been reduced to warnings as conditions improve; drivers were nonetheless cautioned to drive carefully and limit road use until necessary.
2. It’s Not Snowing
Flagstaff stands 7,000 feet above sea level and, with an annual snowfall exceeding 100 inches, is one of the snowiest cities in America. Winters here can be cold and breezy while summers tend to be warm and dry – an ideal combination for experiencing all four distinct seasons! Visit or live there now if this sounds appealing!
Flagstaff’s growing season typically lasts four and one-half months (125 days), starting on May 30 and lasting through to October 1. Dates may differ slightly year to year depending on where one lives in Flagstaff – dates being earlier in northern areas and later elsewhere in southern Arizona. Median temperatures for Flagstaff typically hover at around 63degF during this period compared with an Arizona state average of 67degF.
Flagstaff experiences 14 hours and 47 minutes of annual daylight on average each year, which varies significantly between December, with only 9 hours and 47 minutes of sunlight, and June’s 16 hours and 32 minutes. Temperature also varies monthly with warm summers being followed by very cold snowy winters; this chart illustrates average high and low temperatures along with days that fall into each category; wind speeds also fluctuate throughout the year with spring/summer being quite windy while late July/August brings calm monsoon season conditions.
3. It’s Clear
Snowfall in Arizona can be expected at higher elevations like Flagstaff. At this early point of the season, however, snow is unlikely to significantly impede travel unless there has been an unusual winter storm or cold front. That doesn’t mean motorists shouldn’t use caution on the roads though; particularly when driving north towards Sedona where Stoneman Lake Road sees significant accumulation and may result in temporary road closures due to snow accumulation.
Flagstaff sits at an elevation of over 7,000 feet and boasts ecosystems spanning pinon-juniper studded plateaus, high desert, green alpine forest and barren tundra – making for an incredible outdoor enthusiast destination. However, with such strong sun exposure at such a high elevation it can be easy to overheat quickly, becoming short of breath or overheated quickly if left in direct sunlight for too long. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids while wearing sunscreen and sunglasses to stay safe!
If you’re planning a visit to Flagstaff, it’s wise to research its weather before leaving home. While there are multiple methods of doing so, we suggest consulting the National Weather Service’s website as it offers hourly forecasts with more detailed information such as temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, dew point temperature feels-like temperature wind speed direction air quality as well as any alerts, warnings or watches issued by them.
4. It’s Sunny
Arizona saw some light snowfall overnight but is currently improving with increasing sunshine. Snow was limited to higher elevations and did not reach metro Phoenix, although certain regions saw up to 0.65 inch of precipitation.
Flagstaff lies at an elevation of 7,000 feet (2,135 meters). Its weather patterns exhibit significant seasonal variation. Cloud cover varies throughout the year with September being its clearest month; on average 82% of days were clear or mostly clear during this month.
Flagstaff experiences cloud cover most days between January and July; its precipitation rates fluctuate throughout the year with wet days (defined as any day with 0.04 inches of rain, snow or sleet falling on at least one occasion) occurring an average of 83 times annually.
Flagstaff experiences two forms of precipitation most frequently: rain alone and mixed precipitation with snow. To determine how much rain fell on any given day, we calculate the total precipitation observed over 31-day period centered around that date; then compare that percentage against overall averages for that month – October and March being particularly wet months while July and August can often experience minimal rain fall.
