NWS Issues Winter Weather Advisory

... WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FOR SOUTHERN GILA COUNTY FROM 4 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 8 AM MST SATURDAY ABOVE 5000 FEET...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PHOENIX HAS ISSUED A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW IN SOUTHERN GILA COUNTY ABOVE 5000 FEET FROM 4 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 8 AM MST SATURDAY.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS... 2 TO 3 INCHES POSSIBLE ABOVE 5000 FEET.

* SNOW LEVELS... SNOW LEVEL TONIGHT WILL SLOWLY FALL FROM 5000 FEET LATE FRIDAY AFTERNOON TO 4000 FEET SATURDAY MORNING.

* TIMING... SNOW FRIDAY NIGHT AND SATURDAY MORNING.

* AFFECTED AREA... SOUTHERN GILA COUNTY AND THE TONTO NATIONAL FOREST FOOTHILLS... INCLUDING THE SUPERSTITION MOUNTAINS... AND HIGHER ELEVATIONS NORTH OF CAVE CREEK... CAREFREE... AND SUNFLOWER.

* MAIN IMPACT... SLICK ROADS ABOVE 5000 FEET WITH LOW VISIBILITY AT TIMES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS JUST ENOUGH SNOWFALL TO MAKE DRIVING HAZARDOUS DUE TO SLICK ROADS AND LOW VISIBILITY. MOST ROADWAYS IN SOUTHERN GILA COUNTY ARE BELOW 5000 FEET... HOWEVER SECONDARY BACK-COUNTRY ROADS NORMALLY FREQUENTED BY THE LOCAL POPULATION... ESPECIALLY ON THE SAN CARLOS RESERVATION... COULD BE IMPACTED BY SNOW THEN FREEZING TEMPERATURES.

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Cold Wave Warning

The Gila County Emergency Management Division has issued a cold wave warning.

A strong and dry cold front is expected to move into Gila County this (Thursday) afternoon. It is expected to remain through the weekend into early next week. Strong winds with blowing dust are possible this afternoon.

Very cold temperatures with the strong possibility of a freeze or even a hard freeze  are expected from Saturday morning through Tuesday morning.

The Emergency Management Division reminds you to be prepared to survive winter conditions for 3 to 5 days. Citizens are encouraged to stock basic supplies such as food, water, extra clothing and blankets. 

Make sure your home has sufficient heating fuel and keep your car’s gas tank at least half full. Have enough prescriptions on hand for 5-7 days. 

Before traveling, check statewide road conditions by dialing 5-1-1.

Fall Weather Finally Arrives This Week

The National Weather Service says fall weather will finally arrive later this week. Daytime temperatures should drop well below normal.

A low pressure system will move into the area from the northwest. High temperatures will drop into the mid to upper 60s. Overnight lows will be in the 40s.

The Weather Service says temperatures will be so cool in the high country that there is a chance of snow above 7,000 feet. Freezing temperatures are possible for much of the high country Friday and Saturday mornings.

Drought Conditions Could Deepen

Weather experts say that Arizona’s drought conditions could get even worse. The National Drought Mitigation Center says all of Arizona is in some degree of drought and that the La Nina weather pattern has returned.

The Arizona Republic reports that dry conditions have forced some ranchers to continue to reduce livestock herds. Brittle forests contributed to a record wildfire season that has burned more than 1 million acres.

San Carlos Lake is nearly empty, leaving less water for farmers in Gila and Pinal counties.

'Monsoon Season' Is Here

Arizona’s monsoon season officially began on Wednesday.

Until a few years ago, the monsoon season was defined by weather conditions—three straight days of average dewpoints above 55 degrees. But meteorologists decided that there should be a specific season, much like the hurrican season. They decided on June 15 to September 30.

National Weather Service meteorologists say they expect at least an average monsoon season, possibly a little stronger than average.

Free Storm Spotter Training

A free training will be held in Globe on Saturday to teach people how to properly identify and report significant weather phenomena to the National Weather Service.

The Workshop is from 10:am until Noon at Gila County Emergency Services on Apache Avenue in Central Heights.

If you’d like to learn to be a Storm Spotter call 928-402-8805.

Weather Workshop for Storm Spotters

A free training workshop for people interested in becoming a National Weather Service Storm Spotter will be held Saturday in Globe. It's from 10:am until Noon at Gila County Emergency Services on Apache Avenue. To register call 402-8805.

You will learn how thunderstorms work, how to identify cloud features associated with microbursts and tornandoes, visually estimate wind speeds, and how your reports tie in to warnings and advisories issued by the National Weather Service.

Anyone can be a spotter. If you like to pay attention to the weather, you’re encouraged to become involved.

For more information visit weather.gov/phoenix.

Workshop for Weather Service Storm Spotters

A free training workshop for people interested in becoming a National Weather Service Storm Spotter will be held this Saturday in Globe. It's from 1 to 3:pm at Gila County Emergency Services on Apache Avenue. To register call 402-8805.

You will learn how thuinderstorms work, how to identify cloud features associated with microbursts and tornandoes, visually estimate wind speeds, and how your reports tie in to warnings and advisories issued by the National Weather Service.

Anyone can be a spotter and if you like to pay attention to the weather, you’re encouraged to become involved.

For more information visit weather.gov/phoenix.

Snow Closes Northern Arizona Interstates

The two interstate highways across northern Arizona are closed this (Thursday) morning and may stay closed for awhile. A major winter storm dumped snow in the mountains and rain in the Arizona lower deserts.

Interstate 17 is closed in and out of Flagstaff, which received more than a foot of snow. Interstate 40 is closed from Kingman to Holbrook. State Routes 260, 87 and 89A are also closed around Flagstaff. Flagstaff could receive another 1 to 3 inches of snow today.Snow also fell at the Grand Canyon, Prescott and other parts of northern Arizona.

Snow accumulations may reach 8 to 10 inches above 6,000 feet and 1 to 8 inches between 2,000 and 6,000 feet. Snow levels may fall to 2000 feet by late this morning.

Meanwhile, rain soaked the Phoenix area and much of south-central Arizona. Temperatures are expected to be as much as 15 degrees below normal.

Forest Officials Say Be Careful on Public Lands

Tonto National Forest officials are warning the public that severe weather conditions may continue through the New Year’s holiday weekend. This could mean road closures and other emergency measures. They ask you to please respect road barricades and avoid driving on saturated surfaces to prevent road damage, soil erosion and getting stuck. Parking along roads is also prohibited to avoid traffic congestion and resource damage.

Also remember that even though the sale and use of some kinds of fireworks are now legal in Arizona, fireworks are not permitted on public lands at any time.

ADOT Prepares for Major Winter Storm

As another holiday weekend approaches, the Arizona Department of Transportation reminds motorists to stay up to date on road and weather conditions before leaving home. ADOT says they are prepared to tackle snow and ice on interstate and state routes but drivers should be prepared for temporary closures and changing conditions. I-40 and I-17 in northern Arizona will be top priorities and some other northern Arizona highways may be closed temporarily if there are unsafe conditions. Also be aware that even the interstates may be closed if conditions are especially severe.

You can get information about road conditions by dialing 5-1-1 on your telephome or by going to www.az511.gov on the Web.

Winter Storm Warning

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for Southern Gila County and the Tonto Foothills. The Winter Storm Warning is in effect from 11:pm tonight (Wednesday) until 4:pm Thursday. Rain will turn to snow tonight with snow levels lowering to 5,000 feet this evening, then falling to 3,000 feet by Thursday morning.

Rain and snow runoff is very likely for central Gila County. Residents in communities along rivers, creeks and washes should make emergency preparations. Gila County Emergency Management has placed sandbags at local Fire Departments and at the Gila County Fairgrounds.

The Gila County Emergency Hotline will post emergency information as events occur. Call 1-928-402-8888.