Snow Tubing at Flagstaff Snow Park is one of the best outdoor winter adventures available in Arizona and provides loads of family fun! It’s sure to keep the little ones entertained for hours on end!
Flagstaff experiences its winter season from November through April. On this page you can find information regarding when it typically snows in Flagstaff, how much it typically accumulates each season, etc.
November
November is usually one of Flagstaff’s snowiest months, although with lower average accumulation than other winter months.
Arizona Snowbowl and Sunrise Park Ski Resort both reported significant snowfall this week, accumulating several inches of fresh powder onto their slopes.
The City’s snow routes are designed to ensure accessibility and travelability for citizens. The City maintains 700 lane miles, 8 alley miles, 131 bike lane miles and over 27,000 driveways as part of its snow route network. Equipment makes multiple passes over each route to complete snow plowing; with major hills, signalized intersections, railroad crossings, shaded areas or problem spots being given priority over others.
On sunny days in Flagstaff, it is extremely important to use sunscreen. The UV rays from the sun can quickly burn your skin at altitude.
December
Flagstaff is known to be one of the snowiest cities in America, and Christmas Day typically brings at least some snowfall to Flagstaff 65% of times since 1981; 1 inch or more fell 65% of times with 17% being considered “measurable”
Flagstaff offers ideal winter temperatures for outdoor enthusiasts to indulge in winter sports and activities, such as snowboarding and cross-country skiing. Snow lovers can visit Arizona Nordic Village which features an expansive network of snowy trails where visitors can ski, cross-country ski, or stay overnight in authentic yurts!
Flagstaff is also home to the Lowell Observatory, where meteorologists gather weather observations such as precipitation and air temperature during winter in Flagstaff. On this page you can access weather data dating back to 1991 which provides an idea of winter conditions to expect when visiting Flagstaff.
January
Flagstaff experiences its coldest temperatures from November – February. Average temperatures remain well below freezing, while snowfall may occur frequently. Therefore, this season should be used to pack warm clothing and gear to prepare for an encounter with Flagstaff winters; such as heavy coats, gloves and boots.
December is typically the snowiest month with one out of every four years receiving snowfall exceeding 27 inches; on average, nine inches or less falls each year in lightest years. January typically experience six or more days of snowfall on average per month.
Northern Arizona was hit with an unprecedented snowfall this week, producing epic skiing conditions at local resorts. Some areas even experienced such massive amounts of powder that they had to shut roads and schools temporarily in response.
February
Flagstaff sits at an elevation of 7,000 feet, affording it four distinct seasons and offering ecosystems such as pinon-juniper studded plateaus, high desert, green alpine forest and barren tundra. Summers here are mild while fall is an explosion of color and winter brings snowfall – while spring brings with it an explosion of wildflowers!
Flagstaff experiences precipitation on an average of 83 days every year, making June, July and August ideal times to visit for pleasant weather conditions.
Flagstaff experiences temperatures in February that average 51 to 26 degrees Fahrenheit on average; occasionally reaching 89 degrees Fahrenheit for short periods each year.
March
Flagstaff’s winter season runs from mid-November through April, with February and March offering the highest snow coverage rates. Arizona Snowbowl ski resort is just north of Flagstaff and provides exciting terrain for skiing and snowboarding.
This winter storm has resulted in school closures and travel issues in northern Arizona, while also leading to power outages across much of Arizona, including Phoenix.
Stacey Wittig is an Arizona writer currently living in Flagstaff. Her travels have taken her from Peruvian highland trails eating fried caterpillars, to Spain plains where she enjoyed steamed barnacles! Currently working on her memoir about growing up in Arizona’s Grand Canyon state; magazines and online publications have featured her writing as well as regular contributions on the National Geographic Adventure blog.
April
Flagstaff is much cooler than Phoenix due to its elevation. Its climate features four distinct seasons, yet most days rarely reach 80 degrees Fahrenheit year-round.
Flagstaff experiences 13.1 hours of sunlight each day on average in April compared with 10.2 nationwide.
On average, it snows two days in April – well above the national average of zero days.
Growing degree days (GDDs) are a measure of annual heat accumulation that are used to predict plant and animal development. The chart above displays the average number of GDDs accrued in Flagstaff during April according to historical data.
This forecast of the average temperature in Flagstaff over an entire year is based on long term weather data and may not be completely accurate; for more precise temperature data it would be a good idea to consult local weather stations directly.
