Flagstaff is a mountain town nestled within forests of Ponderosa pine, providing easy access to the San Francisco Peaks – home of Humphreys Peak and Arizona Snowbowl ski resort – through Wupatki National Monument with Native American pueblo sites nearby, while Walnut Canyon National Monument boasts numerous cliff dwellings dotted throughout.
City is an ideal cycling destination with over 117 miles of bike lanes and stunning scenery to offer cyclists. Additionally, it is recognized as an International Dark-Sky City which attracts stargazers from across the world.
Snowfall
Flagstaff typically experiences its first snowfall of the season in October or November and its final one by April. On average, snow covers 11 days each year in Flagstaff with its peak accumulation coming during January.
Flagstaff becomes an idyllic winter wonderland during winter. Downtown Flagstaff features historic brick buildings covered in white snow. Furthermore, Arizona Snowbowl draws skiing enthusiasts from around the globe.
If you want to witness plenty of snowfall in the high country, make your visit to Flagstaff during February. This month is one of the coldest and snowiest of the year, with record amounts being recorded at Flagstaff Pulliam Airport.
City residents experience heavy snowfall during this season, making the roads quite busy. Snowstorms often cause traffic delays or result in road closures.
Snowfall in Flagstaff helps replenish water supplies in the area and decrease wildfire duration in high country regions. Furthermore, this latest snow load helps prevent flash flooding in Flagstaff.
Temperature
Flagstaff offers four distinct seasons and average temperatures that are far cooler than Phoenix and other parts of Arizona, drawing many people in. The climate draws many to visit or live there permanently.
Flagstaff’s climate is significantly impacted by its high elevation, which results in snowfall and cool conditions year-round. Flagstaff typically experiences its first snowfall around November; on San Francisco Peaks this can last as late as June!
Flagstaff Snow Park provides plenty of activities for snow lovers looking to play. Ranging from groomed tubing runs and kiddie hills, passive snow play such as building snowmen or taking in the scenery are available too, making the Snow Park an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon. Best of all? Admission is completely free!
An intense winter storm has moved through northern Arizona, bringing snowfall and strong winds. Travel conditions in some areas have become hazardous due to this inclement weather; multiple road closures were instituted as a result, such as State Route 40 near Kingman. Arizona Department of Transportation crews are encouraging motorists to seek alternate routes as a result.
Flagstaff stands out among Arizona cities for receiving substantial winter snowfall each year, averaging 113 inches annually on average. Snowfall amounts vary season by season and can become particularly heavy in some months such as December; other years experience only minor accumulations.
Wind
Flagstaff is famous for its four distinct seasons and milder temperatures due to its elevation. Snowfall can even reach as far south as Prescott in wintertime; though not usually an issue for residents living within its limits, snow can create complications for travelers, especially during holidays when congestion can become particularly acute.
Before driving to or from Flagstaff, always assess road conditions carefully. If there has been a winter storm or other hazardous event in the area, consider alternative routes if necessary or even avoid it entirely if possible – this is especially crucial if traveling through mountainous regions that can become treacherous during severe weather.
Flagstaff’s winds tend to blow from the southwest, creating strong gusts overnight and early in the morning in areas east of San Francisco Peaks. At these times, air is forced upward by mountain ridges and may cool sufficiently to create lenticular clouds.
Windfinder provides this wind and weather forecast for Flagstaff Pulliam Airport to help plan your next kiteboarding or windsurfing excursion. Their data updates every hour so that you have access to the most up-to-date conditions at any location in Flagstaff Pulliam Airport. Also check out their wind statistics and historical climate trends!
Rain
Due to Flagstaff’s elevated elevation (6,910 feet), rain frequently occurs here. This allows it to experience all four distinct seasons with much cooler temperatures than Phoenix and other desert areas of Arizona.
Snowfall and rainfall can have a dramatic effect on road conditions, which is why the City of Flagstaff maintains an automated rainfall and stream gauge network throughout its city limits. Each gauge transmits data directly to a base station computer which stores it before uploading it here every five minutes for viewing on this web page.
Equipment from the City plows 700 miles of streets annually, 8 miles of alleys, 8 miles of alleyways, 131 miles of bike lanes, 42 miles of sidewalk and 27,000 driveways each year. Their primary priority for plowing is keeping First Priority routes open at all times; such as high volume routes such as those leading to schools or businesses or that connect major intersections.
Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) maintains a fleet of snow plows on state highways that run through Phoenix. ADOT crews use various techniques for treating roads; salt or sand applications typically help break up or melt away ice deposits; should more extensive treatments be necessary, ADOT crews may employ chemical de-icers. More information on ADOT’s snow removal operations can be found on their Snow Operations webpage.
