Flagstaff was hit with its first significant snowfall of the season Wednesday evening, prompting schools to close across northwestern Arizona and jamming traffic on Interstate 40 between Kingman and Flagstaff.
Flagstaff enjoys a growing season that lasts 4.1 months on average and snowfall rarely falls prior to November or post-April.
October
Flagstaff and parts of northern Arizona have seen their first flakes of snow fall this afternoon and early Friday morning as an approaching winter storm arrives from Mexico. According to National Weather Service forecasts, up to one foot of snow may accumulate over an extended period.
Flagstaff is a mountainous city situated at an elevation of more than 7,000 feet, making its winters exceptionally cold and snowy – in fact, according to weather statistics it averages more than 100 inches annually! As such, weather forecasters anticipate extreme winter conditions in Flagstaff.
Fall months of October, November and December in Chicago offer mildly cool conditions with temperatures remaining within normal range and rainfall significantly decreasing from its summer peak in June.
February is generally cold and damp in Hong Kong. On average, precipitation occurs on six out of thirty-one days during this month and sun visibility decreases significantly; additionally, an average temperature is recorded of 25.2 degrees Fahrenheit (-4 degrees Celsius).
November
November typically ushers in the first snow of the season to Flagstaff and its surroundings, typically arriving as mixed snow showers with some drizzle, while some areas experience heavier accumulation of 3-6 inches. It is an ideal time of year to go cross country skiing at Arizona Nordic Village located within San Francisco Peaks’ snowpockets.
Over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend in northern Arizona, a large winter storm brought moderate to heavy snowfall to Coconino and northern Gila counties, along with gusty winds and blizzard conditions, leading to travel disruptions and power outages across the region.
Flagstaff is one of the snowiest cities in America, typically experiencing an extended winter season from October through April. Snowfall typically begins as early as October and lasts through springtime.
With National Weather Service 30-year average data, we’ve identified the dates when there’s the highest chance for first snowfall to arrive and those where snow is most unlikely based on historic averages.
December
Flagstaff experiences its coldest and snowiest month during December. An average temperature is 42.6 degrees Fahrenheit (7.5 degrees Celsius), with 7.4 snowfall days; Flagstaff averages 5.94 inches of snowfall over this month.
Arizona has seen an exceptionally snowy winter this year, with several significant storms dropping heavy amounts across the state. Indeed, this season ranks fifth-snowiest since records began being kept back in 1893.
Although snowfall in Flagstaff can occur at any time of the year, accumulation usually peaks between November and February. On average, seven days in January and four in February typically see snow accumulation each year.
Flagstaff typically sees over 27 inches of snowfall each month on average; lighter years see only 9.3 inches. But these averages don’t always accurately represent how much snow actually falls each year as snowfall patterns vary dramatically from year to year.
Flagstaff requires significant efforts in order to keep its streets clear from snowfall, with over 700 lane miles, 8 alley miles, 131 bike lanes, 42 miles of sidewalks and 27,000 driveways that must be cleared regularly after snowfalls. Equipment makes multiple passes through Flagstaff streets so as to clear all streets efficiently.
January
Northern Arizona is experiencing its highest snowfall since 2010 according to the National Weather Service in Flagstaff. Snowfall has transformed Flagstaff into a picturesque postcard and led NAU and traffic around town to slow considerably, as well as made travel difficult in certain areas. Snow plows have been working nonstop since Saturday evening to keep roads clear; Estevan with Flagstaff Towing and Recovery says their drivers have been “driving like crazy”.
Flagstaff, located in the high country, is one of the snowiest cities in the US, drawing visitors who enjoy skiing and snowboarding from all over the world. Home to over 100 miles of cross-country ski trails for cross-country skiing activities as well as other snow activities is San Francisco Peaks with an elevation of more than 7,000 feet, this city attracts skiers and snowboarders from all corners.
Snowfall in Flagstaff typically begins in November and peaks between January and February, when heavy snowstorms dropping 10″ of snow are commonplace and major blizzards often strike two or three times annually. On average, Flagstaff receives 103.6 inches annually – 1972-73 was its heaviest winter on record and this year seems likely to surpass it!
