Record-breaking snowstorm slams Flagstaff, northern Arizona

PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5/AP) -- Widespread winter storms in northern Arizona that brought record snowfall to Flagstaff over the weekend are stretching into Tuesday night. Pockets of northern Arizona are likely to see more remnants of a low-pressure storm system, with snow levels dropping to about 4,000 feet, and leading to a Winter Storm Warning to remain in effect until 11 p.m. on Tuesday.

Power outages are also affecting the Munds Park community in Coconino County. An overnight warming shelter has opened at Munds Park Community Church for those who have no power.

ADOT is reporting several road closures due to inclement weather (last updated 9:45 p.m.):

• Westbound I-40 near Winona (milepost 210)
• SR 64 is closed between MPs 241 and 268 near the Grand Canyon;

While the next system will likely be dry for the Valley, Arizona’s Family meteorologist April Warnecke forecasts that it is likely to lead to the potential for another couple of inches of snow for those in Flagstaff. Another storm system is expected to move into northern Arizona Thursday night into Friday morning, causing colder-than-usual temperatures into the weekend.

Flagstaff saw just shy of 15 inches of snow on Sunday, breaking the previous daily snowfall record of about 9 inches set in 1978. Approximately 17 inches fell over the weekend in northern Arizona that whole weekend. Amid the storms, the Flagstaff Unified School District preemptively canceled classes on Tuesday. Coconino Community College and Northern Arizona University also canceled classes at their Flagstaff campuses.

Snow also affected trash and recycling pickup for Flagstaff residents. All trash and recycling collection for Tuesday was canceled, but trash pickup is expected to resume Wednesday morning. However, homeowners should expect a delayed pickup schedule due to the heavy snow. All recycling and bulk trash collection will be suspended for the rest of the week, but will start back up next week.

Arizona’s Family reported snowpack levels are currently almost 200% above in the High Country. NWS Flagstaff Lead Meteorologist Brian Klimowski says it’s big news for our short-term drought outlook. “Even over the last month and a half, we’ve seen drought conditions at least in our southcentral portion of the state improve to where we’re not under any drought conditions,” Klimowski told Arizona’s Family Elliott Polakoff.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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