Rain on tap for metro Phoenix this weekend; snow expected in parts of Arizona

Sydney Carruth
·3 min read
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Increased precipitation will bring light showers and snow across Arizona this weekend, especially in the Valley and Flagstaff.

High chances of rain, light winds and below-average temperatures were expected to hit Phoenix and surrounding areas as soon as Saturday, lasting through Sunday, according to the National Weather Service in Phoenix.

“As of right now we’re looking at showers mostly,” said Jessica Leffel, meteorologist with the weather service. “It can ramp up, but the biggest impact is going to be that rainfall starting Saturday. There will be light winds up to 5 mph throughout the weekend, and the winds could ramp up to 10 mph.”

The expected rainfall follows a week of higher-than-average temperatures in Phoenix, which will continue until Friday.

“This week and going through Friday, temperature averages for highs and lows are a little bit above average. Thursday and Friday we’re going to have highs in the low 70s and lows in the high 40s,” Leffel said.

Highs in the low 60s and high 50s were expected Saturday and Sunday, with lows in the high 40s.

Tips for driving in the rain

The Arizona Department of Transportation provided the following safety tips for driving in the rain:

  • Inspect windshield wipers and replace them if necessary prior to expected rainfall.

  • Turn on the headlights.

  • Reduce speeds.

  • Avoid sudden breaking on wet pavement.

  • Create a “space cushion” between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you.

  • Avoid areas where water has pooled in travel lanes.

No hazardous weather conditions were expected early next week in Phoenix, according to the weather service.

Residents and drivers can check az511.com for updated road conditions.

Winter storm to impact travel in Flagstaff

A winter storm that was expected to impact northern Arizona on Saturday night and into the middle of next week can cause hazardous travel conditions and potential delays for holiday weekend travelers.

Heavy snow was expected in the high country, with the potential to accumulate between 5,000 and 6,000 feet into the middle of next week, according to meteorologist Brian Klimowski with the weather service in Flagstaff.

“Expect significant travel delays this weekend,” Klimowski said. “Expect hazardous travel conditions with the holiday weekend coming up. Be prepared for long commutes.”

The storms will also bring colder temperatures, with a 70% chance of snow on Sunday, according to an extended forecast from the weather service.

On Saturday, the high will be 47 degrees and the low is expected to reach 28 degrees. Sunday was expected to bring blowing snow with the expected high falling between 36 to 37 degrees and expected lows between 26 to 28 degrees, the weather service said.

Light winds can be expected Thursday and Friday morning this week and into the afternoon, with a high of 46 degrees on Thursday and 51 degrees on Friday.

For a helpful winter weather car items list, drivers can go to ready.gov/winter-weather.

Tucson to experience light showers, snow into next week

Tucson will experience above average temperatures starting on Thursday and expected to continue through Sunday, according to the weather service in Tucson.

“Thursday, Friday and Saturday will be above normal,” Tucson meteorologist Aaron Hardin said. “Friday we have a chance to match the record for Tucson, which would be the lowest record high in January at 78 degrees.”

Sunday will bring valley rain and mountain snow along with cooler temperatures and light winds continuing into early next week.

Mountain snow levels will be between 6,000 to 7,000 feet between Sunday and Tuesday, Hardin said.

“Those rain chances and snow chances will continue through Tuesday as the second weather system comes through, which will continue to lower temperatures,” Hardin said.

He said the rain could cause area washes across Tucson to start running again and said residents could notice a higher volume of running water in washes and water running across low-lying roads.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona weather forecast: Winter storms to bring rain and snow