Springerville, AZ—The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests want to remind hunters and visitors that Arizona State Highways 273 and 261 will be closed beginning December 17. Access to the Big Lake, Crescent Lake or Mexican Hay Lake areas will be closed by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), and will remain closed until spring.

“We want to remind visitors to the Springerville Ranger District, ADOT will be closing Highway 273 from the Forest/Reservation boundary to Crescent Lake, and Highway 261 from the Point of the Mountain overlook to Crescent Lake,” according to Rob Lever, acting Springerville District Ranger. Forest Service roads are open at this time but may be impassable, depending on weather and road conditions. The U.S. Forest Service does not maintain roads during the winter months.

Both of these areas have designated snowmobile trails, with some parking available at the trailheads.

Reminder before hunting or recreating, please let someone know the route you are planning to take, the time you left and when you are expected to return.  We want your visit to the forest to be a memorable one!

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Power is back on in Heber-Overgaard, Aripine and Claysprings.  Navopache Electric had power returned at approximately 12:30 this morning.

A STORM SYSTEM WILL BRING WIDESPREAD RAIN AND SNOW TO MUCH OF NORTHERN AND CENTRAL ARIZONA THROUGH THIS MORNING. RAIN AND SNOW SHOWERS WILL DECREASE BY THIS AFTERNOON TO MORE SCATTERED INTERMITTENT SHOWERS.
ACCUMULATIONS THROUGH NOON TODAY WILL RANGE FROM 2 TO 5 INCHES ABOVE 6000 FEET…AND 4 TO 8 INCHES ABOVE 7500 FEET…ALONG THE SOUTHERN EDGE OF THE MOGOLLON RIM 8 TO 16 INCHES…WITH LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS OF 12 TO 20 INCHES POSSIBLE ABOVE 8500 FEET. WINTER WEATHER ADVISORIES CONTINUE THROUGH NOON MST TODAY FOR MOST AREAS EXCEPT THE KIABAB PLATEAU…NORTH RIM WHERE THE SNOW ADVISORY STAYS IN EFFECT THROUGH 6 PM MST…SEE TEXT PRODUCT PHXWSWFGZ FOR DETAILS.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY
THE BRIEF BREAK IN THE WEATHER WILL CONTINUE INTO THIS EVENING WITH SCATTERED RAIN AND SNOW SHOWERS…MAINLY ALONG AND SOUTH OF THE MOGOLLON RIM. RAIN AND SNOW SHOWERS ARE FORECAST TO INCREASE ONCE AGAIN AFTER MIDNIGHT TONIGHT AS THE SECOND STORM SYSTEM APPROACHES OUR AREA. SNOW LEVELS WILL BE AROUND 5000 FEET.
3 TO 8 INCHES OF ADDITIONAL SNOWFALL CAN BE EXPECTED TO AREAS ALONG AND SOUTH OF THE MOGOLLON RIM…WITH MUCH LIGHTER ACCUMULATIONS TO THE NORTH.