Snowfall may not be part of everyday life in Phoenix-area life, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t occur from time to time. Flagstaff sits higher up the mountains and receives frequent snowfall.
Flagstaff’s two topographical features that contribute to its heavy snowfall are Mogollon Rim and high altitude, both contributing factors that help make it one of the snowiest areas in Arizona.
January
Flagstaff has seen record snowfall this winter season (2022-2023), with some areas seeing over 5 feet of accumulation compared to past years’ statistical estimates.
Snow has been a boon to local residents, with some even reporting incredible powder days at Arizona Snowbowl. Unfortunately, however, heavy snowfall has created havoc on some of the region’s highways, leading to multiple crashes and multi-hour delays for drivers.
According to the National Weather Service, Flagstaff has already seen 60.4 inches of snow so far this January – making it the fourth snowiest January ever seen there. Should more snowfall arrive this month, that figure may easily move closer to third or second place.
The NWS has also collected data on when and how much snow Flagstaff typically sees, using weather data collected at Flagstaff Pulliam Airport. The information provides an excellent snapshot of when and how often snowfall typically occurs within this city, with this chart showing when at least 0.1 inches snow falls a month; to view a complete data set click here.
February
On Wednesday night and Thursday, a winter storm blanketed northern Arizona in snow. Some parts near Prescott saw as much as two feet of accumulation while Flagstaff saw up to 15 inches in some neighborhoods.
The National Weather Service in Bellemont reports that this winter has already become one of the snowiest on record at Flagstaff Pulliam Airport – second only to when 143.9 inches were measured between July 1948-49 and March 1949.
At the height of Thursday’s snowfall, a snowplow made its way through a parking lot in downtown Flagstaff. Unfortunately, Flagstaff’s Mountain Line bus route remains closed; however, crews are currently working to clear streets and sidewalks of snow accumulation.
Northern Arizona saw significant snow accumulation this January, delivering over 57 inches to Flagstaff alone – fourth-highest since records began being kept back in 1898. We need just 1.5 more inches to take third place and 5.5 more to reach second.
Flagstaff typically experiences snowy conditions in February, with an average accumulated snow depth of 4.65 inches and an average monthly snowfall of 6.1 days. Flagstaff is an attractive destination for skiing enthusiasts and boasts multiple resorts where lift tickets may be found at discounted prices during this season. Visit our winter recreation snowplay map or call the Snow Information Hotline (1-844-256-SNOW) for updates on road conditions and snowplay opportunities in Flagstaff.
March
An Arizona winter storm has brought heavy snowfall and strong winds, creating travel disruptions on some highways and narrowing others to one lane in each direction. To stay safe during this inclement weather event, motorists are being encouraged by Arizona Department of Transportation not to drive unless necessary.
Climate data indicates that Flagstaff area snow loads have reached record-setting levels. The current season marks only second-snowiest since 1948-1949.
An outdoor enthusiasts have long valued Fernie as a destination, so it should come as no surprise that its craft beer scene is flourishing as well. There are multiple local breweries such as Wanderlust Brewing Company and Mother Road Brewing Company to explore here, plus an annual craft brewery tour where visitors can try different brews.
Although it’s great that so many tourists visit, too many can become a burden when the numbers become overwhelming. Traffic congestion and long waits at grocery stores, malls and gas stations may ensue, while finding parking at restaurants or attractions could become increasingly challenging.
As well as outdoor activities, Flagstaff also boasts plenty of indoor activities for visitors to enjoy. The Museum of Northern Arizona showcases the history of Northern Arizona while Flagstaff Arts Council hosts classes and events throughout the year. Coconino National Forest provides plenty of hiking and biking trails perfect for exploring.
April
Flagstaff is one of the premier locations in Arizona if you love four distinct seasons and cooler temperatures than Phoenix, often being 20-30 degrees lower due to its higher elevation and unique weather patterns. Furthermore, Flagstaff features some of the finest skiing in America as well as spectacular mountainous scenery that truly make this city captivating.
Flagstaff residents were delighted by this week’s snowfall, as it marks an end to months of drought conditions in their region. This record snowfall will help replenish runoff water when it melts in spring and summer – decreasing forest fire risk while prolonging skiing seasons for skiers alike.
Winter Storm Quiana came as a huge surprise and dumped two feet or more of snow across northeast Arizona on Wednesday night and Thursday – more than any single day total this season for Flagstaff or ever in its history! It even broke into the top ten snowiest days list!
Most people envision Christmas Day and snow when thinking of celebrating the holidays in northern Arizona, yet many forget that measurably snowy Christmases are actually quite rare in this region – between 1981 and 2010, only 17% of Christmases featured detectable snowfall on that particular date!
