Flagstaff sits atop an altitude of over one mile. Therefore, it receives snowfall that does not fall in lower valley areas of Arizona like Phoenix.
This winter has already defied expectations with regards to snowfall. Already it ranks fifth snowiest since records began being kept in the 1800s.
Winter
With winter weather sweeping across Arizona, Flagstaff should experience more snowfall this week. Snow levels could reach as high as 5,000 feet causing travel issues in the area.
Average snowfall fluctuates throughout the year, with most snow falling during winter and less during July. Snowy season lasts six months from October to April with January seeing the greatest amounts while July usually has no accumulation.
Rainfall patterns vary by month. On average, autumn experiences more rainy days than summer. But there may also be short stretches where it doesn’t rain at all!
On average, Flagstaff sees an average of 81 rainy days annually; August being the wettest month and June the driest.
Flagstaff snowfall begins due to several contributing factors. Since last July, National Weather Service Flagstaff Pulliam Airport has seen 140.1 inches, trailing only 1948-1949’s 153.9-inch record set during that same timeframe. Furthermore, city snow removal efforts can impact when snow falls – Flagstaff maintains 700 lanes miles of street pavement, 131 alley miles, 42 bike lanes and 270 miles of sidewalk space which all need clearing regularly and equipment makes multiple passes over each street to fully clear them all out.
Spring
Flagstaff offers something for every season in spring. Temperatures can fluctuate widely between daytime temperatures and cold night-time lows; to stay comfortable as you move between outdoor activities and cozy indoor spaces, pack flexible layers that can easily layer. This will allow for seamless transitions.
Arizona Snowbowl and Sunrise Park experience record snowfall each spring, providing skiers and snowboarders with some welcome relief while simultaneously helping boost business that rely on winter tourism for sales.
Flagstaff typically sees its winter snow season begin in October and end around March, commonly referred to as “ski season”.
February is one of Flagstaff’s snowiest months, featuring numerous snowfall days and average accumulation.
Flagstaff’s April is one of the wettest months each year, often producing heavy snowfall accumulation. Additionally, April boasts many wet days and an above-average precipitation total.
Flagstaff experiences its lowest number of sunny days during June, as well as average precipitation accumulation.
Summer
Flagstaff has long been known to attract skiers and snowboarders due to its abundant snowfall levels, making it one of the coldest and snowiest locations in America. According to National Weather Service records from Flagstaff, 2022-23 meteorological winter was fifth snowiest since records started being kept back in 1877!
Summer snowfall may not be as frequent, yet still occurs several times each year. Storms that dump ten inches or more usually happen six times annually; major blizzards typically appear once or twice each year.
Flagstaff typically experiences its first snowfall of the season in October or November. At times, heavy years may bring more than 27 inches of fresh powdery snowfall during this period; on other occasions there may not be any accumulation at all.
February is typically the last month of snowy season in New York City and averages 13.6 inches of new snow during this month; however, some years have seen as much as 28.1 inches fall during February alone!
Fall
Flagstaff typically experiences its first snowfall of the year in October, although one out of four years doesn’t experience any fresh snowfall this month. November tends to bring about light dustings of snow for three out of every four years during November; by December however, more often than not over six inches have fallen in this month alone!
January is typically when most winter snow falls, and Flagstaff typically experiences measurable accumulation in this month. Heavy years could see more than 25.4 inches, while light years might bring only less than 4.3 inches.
February generally sees the last snowfall of the season; however, some years have seen some accumulation even into May. No matter when snow arrives for Flagstaff residents to enjoy its benefits – usually between late October and April.
Flagstaff is the perfect spot for anyone who appreciates autumn foliage and outdoor activity this time of year, boasting stunning displays of reds, yellows and bronze hues as the trees surrounding town transform their seasonal hues. Plus visitors can stroll the streets downtown admiring historic architecture!
