Flagstaff’s heavy snowfall this year has both positive and negative ramifications; on one hand it will help replenish water runoff during spring runoff, on the other it is helping prevent it.
Flagstaff typically experiences six major snowstorms annually that dump 10 inches or more, typically only affecting higher elevations in northern Arizona.
Weather
Flagstaff weather is transitioning from winter to spring gradually and gradually this week. Highs should reach the low to mid 30s by Wednesday and Thursday with overnight low single digits to low teens temperatures expected. Higher elevations still see snowfall though and an updated Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect for this area.
Flagstaff’s 2022-23 meteorological winter is projected to be one of the snowiest on record according to an analysis performed by the National Weather Service climatology division. Snowfall recorded this season has already outshone that of previous years by more than 50%.
Flagstaff was hit with an afternoon storm which dumped several inches of snowfall, with some areas reporting up to one-foot accumulation. Due to this snowfall, two major highways between Kingman and Flagstaff as well as other roads in the area had to close temporarily; they should reopen later today after clearing.
Flagstaff offers many public parks for sledding, such as Foxglenn Park, Thorpe Park and Buffalo Park. Please be sure to use only approved sleds and ensure everyone’s safety by not sledding on plow berms or intersections, while always wearing protective gear such as helmets.
Snowfall
The City of Denver typically receives an average annual accumulation of 113 inches of snow.
Flagstaff’s snowfall is not expected to increase significantly over the coming weeks, according to local weather forecaster estimates. Still, Flagstaff remains a popular ski and snowboard destination and training area for professional athletes from around the globe.
On Sunday, a winter storm brought several inches of snowfall, with heavy accumulation in higher elevations. Visibility dropped below one mile at Flagstaff Pulliam Airport as strong winds brought snowfall with them – and was expected to persist into Monday.
Snowfall has had an extremely positive effect on Arizona Snowbowl, where total snowpack reached record levels. The resort plans on staying open throughout winter.
Locals are taking advantage of the weather by playing in the powder. Community parks offer activities for all ages such as ice-skating rinks and snowshoeing trails; many breweries and restaurants also have outdoor fire pits that make for an excellent way to relax with friends over drinks.
Flagstaff’s annual Festival of Science celebrates more than 30 years as an educational tradition. Offering over 100 free family-friendly lectures and workshops with NAU faculty as presenters and hosts as a focus this year is “Pyramids to Peaks,” exploring topics at the intersection between sciences and arts.
Temperatures
Flagstaff is known for its beauty, culture and outdoor activities – from skiing and hiking to biking or simply enjoying the view, there’s something here for everyone. Additionally, there are plenty of events and festivals throughout the year celebrating holidays, local traditions or simply taking in its breathtaking view.
Flagstaff does not boast its own professional sports teams, but serves as a training destination for various professional and collegiate sports. Home to Northern Arizona University, Grand Canyon National Park Oak Creek Canyon the Arizona Snowbowl Meteor Crater among many others it provides ample training grounds.
Campbell Mesa is also an ideal mountain biking paradise, featuring 117 miles of bicycle lanes on both streets and trails for riders to explore ponderosa pine forests, volcanic canyons, and more along its many bike trails. Fans will have ample opportunity to experience stunning ponderosa pine forests and volcanic canyons with ease on these routes; one popular trail being Campbell Mesa which features amazing views while offering loops designed to cater to mountain bikes as well as road bikes alike.
Flagstaff was designated the world’s first Dark Sky City due to its low light pollution, making it an excellent spot for star-gazing. Check out Lowell Observatory year-round for tours and telescope viewing; or watch sunset from Buffalo Park to gain an understanding of how Earth-shadow and Belt of Venus change with evening. Or attend an annual Festival of Science event held since 1990 where visitors can gain knowledge about ancient cultures, Colorado Plateau ecology and wildlife as well as astronomy through presentations, hands-on workshops or interactive discussions; many times with NAU faculty/staff serving as presenters or lecturers for events hosted.
Wind
Snowfall should be light to moderate in Flagstaff city limits and higher elevations, and should begin tapering off later today or early Friday morning. According to weather service meteorologist Cynthia Kobold, “this event marks a significant snowfall event for our area – particularly mountain regions – coming earlier than we typically expect for winter storms to arrive.
Flagstaff is located at the edge of the Colorado Plateau on its edge is home to Ponderosa Pine forests and within close distance to Mount Elden and San Francisco Peaks; Arizona’s two highest mountain ranges.
With its charming downtown area, locals and visitors alike come together throughout the year to take advantage of all it has to offer. Family movies at Heritage Square, concerts and special events taking place throughout summer and winter can all be found within this town. In addition to this there are also plenty of fantastic restaurants and breweries with outdoor firepits where people can relax while sampling some of the best local cuisine and drinks.
Flagstaff offers plenty of trails suitable for hiking and bicycling enthusiasts to discover, as well as being home to the Flagstaff Nordic Village offering cross-country skiing in the shadow of its mountain peaks. Open all year, though most popular during winter.
