1/31/16 – The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the following areas, Coconino Plateau, Chuska Mountains, Defiance Plateau, Western Mogollon Rim, Eastern Mogollon Rim, White Mountains, Black Mesa Area including Valle, Window Rock, Ganado, Flagstaff, Happy Jack, Show Low and Greer, which will remain in effect from Sunday 5:00 pm until Monday at 5:00 pm.

A Wind Advisory in effect until 7 PM this evening, strong gusty southwest winds will continue across the advisory area into early this evening. Winds will be 20 to 30 MPH with gusts around 40 to 50. Strong winds may make driving difficult especially for high profile vehicles.

Snow and blowing snow is expected to increase late Sunday afternoon and persist through the day Monday. Snow levels will start out around 6500 to 7000 feet Sunday evening falling to around 4000 feet during the day Monday. General snow accumulations will be 5 to 12 inches mainly above 5000.

Snowfall forecast until 5 PM Monday:
ALPINE 7 TO 1 INCHES
DONEY PARK 3 TO 5 INCHES
FLAGSTAFF 9 TO 13 INCHES
FOREST LAKES 9 TO 15 INCHES
GANADO 3 TO 5 INCHES
HEBER-OVERGAARD 4 TO 8 INCHES
PINETOP-LKSIDE 6 TO 10 INCHES
SHONTO 4 TO 6 INCHES
SHOW LOW 4 TO 6 INCHES
VALLE 4 TO 6 INCHES
WHITERIVER 2 TO 4 INCHES
WILLIAMS 7  TO 11 INCHES
WINDOW ROCK 4 TO 6 INCHES

Other impacts, blowing snow in gusty winds may lead to whiteout conditions in near zero visibility at times. These conditions will have significant impacts on travel. Please Use Caution!! For the latest in road conditions visit www.az511.com.

1/29/16 – Sunday and Monday a cold Pacific storm will move across northern Arizona with widespread rain and snow expected. Winter driving conditions are likely in the mountains starting on Sunday, extending to much lower elevations late Sunday night and Monday as colder air moves in.

Strong winds late Sunday into early Monday could create areas of blowing and drifting snow with near whiteout conditions at times creating extremely hazardous travel.

Preliminary snowfall estimates through Monday evening range from 8 to 16 inches above 6500 feet with the higher amounts along the southwest facing edge of the Mogollon Rim, Kaibab Plateau and White Mountains. Snowfall amounts will be 2 to 8 inches in the 5000 to 6500 feet range with amounts of a trace to 2 inches possible down to 3500 feet. Please check back often as there is still uncertainty in the forecast and these initial estimates may change over the coming days.

1/28/16 – There is a control burn north of Pinedale in Capps Ranch. Smoke is visible from Highway 260. The burn should be complete by Friday if not sooner.