How Much Snow Is Falling in Flagstaff, Arizona?

Flagstaff is experiencing an unprecedented snowfall season. At Flagstaff Pulliam Airport, total accumulation to date stands at 140.1 inches; second only to 153.9 recorded between July 1948-49.

An abundant snow year such as this is perfect for Flagstaff Nordic Center to become Northern Arizona’s premiere cross-country ski destination.

December

Flagstaff often experiences two feet or more of snowfall during December, one of the coldest and snowiest months of the year, as well as being hit with heavy winter storms on several occasions throughout its duration. Heavy snowfall events may even reach 10 inches at any given moment in some days!

Snowfall season generally lasts from October through March, although snow can fall as early as November or late as April. Most snow falls between January and February; an inch per day typically accumulates.

The 2022-2023 winter season was an exceptional one in terms of snowfall. This is wonderful news for the area as it will replenish water runoff when it melts in spring into summer, while keeping Mogollon Rim and surrounding high-level terrain covered in snow longer reducing wildfire risk in these areas until later into summer.

January

Though many outside Arizona may associate Arizona with warm, sunny weather, certain parts of its higher elevations often experience snowfall during winters. Flagstaff is one such location which experiences this phenomenon and gets an average of 101.7 inches annually.

The recent snowstorm in the high country has been welcomed by both residents and skiers. The storm created incredible conditions at Arizona Ski Bowl, as well as increasing snowpack in the region – according to Salt River Project meteorologist Bo Svoma, current snowpack levels are the largest since 2010. These changes should help refill reservoirs used by wells located throughout this region.

Travelers have also felt the effects of snowfall as treacherous driving conditions have left cars stuck on highways and many streets closed across Flagstaff. While plows have been diligent in clearing away snow, roads remain congested, leaving residents in outlying areas feeling cut off from services.

February

February has brought with it an abundance of snow to northern Arizona mountains and plains, creating travel difficulties in some areas and closing roads and impacting schools. Meanwhile, recent winter storm warnings will bring more white blankets on Friday.

Measuring snow can be an inexact science. Megan Taylor, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Flagstaff, said measuring it can be challenging as it compacts when it settles. To take accurate measurements, meteorologists use rulers in the snow before noting down their results.

Flagstaff was hit with record-setting snowfall over the weekend and Monday, surpassing last year’s totals by an overwhelming margin. School closures and parts of I-40 between Payson and Winslow were required due to this unprecedented accumulation.

This table provides monthly and annual averages for how much snow Flagstaff pulliam Airport receives, using data spanning 1991-20. Along with total amounts, this data also shows how often it snows every month on average as well as when flagstaff experiences major snowstorms.

March

Flagstaff in March typically experiences 2.5 days with snowfall each month. On average, 3 inches of snow accumulate during this month in Flagstaff; making its climate colder than Phoenix and Tucson during this month.

Flagstaff temperatures typically see highs in the low- to mid-40s with mid-50s expected; daily lows often average in the 20s.

Flagstaff typically experiences some form of precipitation 83 days out of every year – whether rain, snow or sleet.

Flagstaff receives an average annual snowfall of approximately 81 inches; however, this amount can differ significantly year to year; during heavy snowfall years the city could experience over 100 inches while other times it might only receive less than 10 inches of snowfall.

April

While everyone’s attention may be focused on the winter storms that have lashed the Northeast, Arizona town Flagstaff stands out as having its own incredible “this winter just won’t stop” tale. On average, Flagstaff receives 100.6 inches of snow annually, placing it eighth among America’s snowiest cities.

Northern Arizona typically sees snowfall during May, with 54 of 118 years seeing some form of precipitation after late May.

One storm in February dumped more than three feet of snow in just one day, shutting down Interstate 17 and 40 and crippling life in Flagstaff. But weather forecasters anticipate an improvement soon: an end to snowy conditions is due over the weekend-Monday; though snow could return later in April. Here is everything you need to know about snowfall in Flagstaff: a breakdown of how often and how much it snows along with climate information about Flagstaff.