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MOST ACCURATE FORECAST: Winter storm bringing wind, rain, snow and a big cool-down to Arizona

A winter storm is moving into Arizona! Winds are picking up, rain and snow are falling, and temperatures are dropping all across the state. Isolated showers have already impacted parts of the Valley this afternoon and there's a slight chance for more overnight and into Wednesday morning. Some areas may see up to a tenth of an inch of rain.

By: Amber Sullins

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and last updated

PHOENIX — A winter storm is moving into Arizona!

Winds are picking up, rain and snow are falling, and temperatures are dropping all across the state.

Here in the Valley, there's a slight chance of light, spotty rain showers overnight into Wednesday morning. Some areas may see up to a tenth of an inch of rain.

Outlying areas of the Valley, such as Deer Valley, Cave Creek, Carefree, Fountain Hills, Apache Junction and even Queen Creek, are under Wind Advisories until 2 p.m. on Wednesday. Watch out for peak gusts near 45 mph overnight.

Up north, strong winds will lead to blowing snow and low visibility. Traveling Tuesday night into early Wednesday morning is not recommended as snow levels gradually drop to around 3,500 feet.

Flagstaff could see one to three inches of snow with six to eight inches possible over the San Francisco Peaks. Along the Mogollon Rim, we're expecting maybe an inch or so by Wednesday afternoon in places like Heber, Show Low and Pinetop.

By Wednesday afternoon, snow showers will spread into southeastern Arizona. The highest peaks there could get as much as six to ten inches of it.

Out west, it’s more about the wind than the rain or snow.

A High Wind Warning is in effect for the Colorado River Valley through Wednesday afternoon. Gusts could top 60 miles an hour! That will make travel difficult across western Arizona, especially in a high-profile vehicles.

Wind Advisories are also in place for parts of western and southeastern Arizona. Expect gusts of up to 50 mph Tuesday and Wednesday.

Winds will back off by Thursday as the cold air with this storm settles in.

In the Valley, daytime highs will drop into the mid 60s by the end of the week. Morning lows will dip into the low 40s by Thursday morning with outlying areas in the mid to upper 30s.

Even colder temperatures are expected for areas south and east of the Phoenix metro area.

Freeze Watches are in effect Wednesday night into Thursday morning and again Thursday night into Friday morning for central and southeastern Arizona. This includes areas like Eloy and Arizona City in Pinal County, Globe and Superior in Gila County, and the Aguila Valley in Maricopa County. Make sure to cover any exposed pipes and protect sensitive plants before those freezing temps arrive.