PHOENIX — High pressure has been sending temperatures soaring and bringing the first 80s of the year to Phoenix this week.
But, now we're tracking a winter storm moving in.
Breezes will pick up, temperatures will drop and rain and snow will impact Arizona starting Thursday afternoon and continuing through the day Friday.
Due to the impacts to outdoor activities and travel across Arizona, Thursday and Friday will be ABC15 Weather Action Days. Take action now to get ready for this storm.
We could pick up a half an inch to an inch of rain in parts of the Valley and three to six inches of snow in Flagstaff.
Winter Weather Advisories are in effect Thursday evening through Friday evening along the Mogollon Rim, near the Grand Canyon, and across the higher terrain of northeastern and southeastern Arizona. We could see up to six inches of snow for some spots above 6,000 feet in elevation and up to a foot of snow in some areas above 7,000 feet in elevation.
With wind gusts near 30 to 40 mph, blowing snow and low visibility will be an issue in these high country locations too.
Most accumulating snowfall with this storm will happen above 5,500 feet in elevation, but a dropping snow level could bring flurries into places as low as 4,500 feet in elevation by Saturday morning.
Our weather pattern will stay active through mid-February with a few more storms on the way. That could keep rain chances in the forecast for the Phoenix Open this year. More details to come on that next week.
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2024 Rainfall totals:
Sky Harbor Official Rainfall: 0.73" (-0.14" from average)
Valley Average (Phoenix Rainfall Index): 0.84"
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2023 Rainfall totals:
Sky Harbor Official Rainfall: 4.21" (-3.01" from average)
Valley Average (Phoenix Rainfall Index): 5.47"
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Daily rainfall reports from all across the Valley can be found here.
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PHOENIX IS GETTING DRIER - LOWER RAINFALL AVERAGES NOW
Average Monsoon Rainfall in Phoenix (1981-2010): 2.71" of rain
NEW Average Monsoon Rainfall in Phoenix (1991-2020): 2.43" of rain
Average Yearly Rainfall in Phoenix (1981-2010): 8:03" of rain
NEW Average Yearly Rainfall in Phoenix (1991-2020): 7.22" of rain
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