A POTENT COLD FRONT WILL AFFECT NORTHERN ARIZONA FROM THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH EARLY WEDNESDAY. SNOW LEVELS ARE EXPECTED TO FALL RAPIDLY FROM WEST TO EAST STARTING THIS EVENING….AND BE AT OR BELOW 4500 FEET EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING.

HEAVY SNOWFALL WILL OCCUR ALONG THE COLD FRONT TONIGHT. SNOWFALL AMOUNTS OF 5 TO 9 INCHES ARE EXPECTED ABOVE 6000 FEET…WITH 3 TO
6 INCHES ABOVE 5000 FEET. SNOW IS POSSIBLE DOWN TO 3500 FEET THOUGH AMOUNTS SHOULD BE LESS THAN ONE INCH. WINTER WEATHER ADVISORIES ARE IN EFFECT…

STRONG AND GUSTY WINDS WITH THIS STORM WILL PRODUCE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW ALONG AREA ROADWAYS. BE PREPARED FOR WINTER DRIVING CONDITIONS FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING.

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.