Category Archives: NOAA

Fire weather watch issued for Tuesday

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FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT TUESDAY MORNING THROUGH TUESDAY EVENING DUE TO STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR NORTHERN ARIZONA
Fire Weather Watch issued June 25 at 1:12PM MST until June 27 at 8:00PM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ
The National Weather Service in Flagstaff has issued a Fire Weather Watch due to strong winds and low relative humidity, which is in effect from Tuesday morning through Tuesday evening.

* AFFECTED AREA…Locations near Alpine, Camp Verde, Chino Valley, Congress, Cottonwood, Paulden, Payson, Strawberry, Pinetop-Lakeside, Prescott, Sedona, Seligman, Show Low and Whiteriver. This includes portions of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, Coconino National Forest, Kaibab National Forest, Prescott National Forest and Tonto National Forest.

* WINDS…Southwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY…As low as 7 percent.

* IMPACTS…The combination of gusty winds and low humidity can cause fire to rapidly grow in size and intensity before first responders can contain them.
Click HERE to sign up for Coconino County Emergency Notifications and alerts.

Weather service warns of brief, but heavy, snow storm Sunday through Monday

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The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch from Sunday night through 5:00 p.m. Monday evening. Areas above 5000-feet are expected to receive 5- to 5-inches of snow with localized amounts between 8 and 12-inches.

Accumulated snow levels could be:

Doney Park 2 to 4 inches Flagstaff 6 to 8 inches
Grand Canyon 3 to 4 inches Jacob Lake 6 to 8 inches
North Rim 8 to 10 inches Prescott 1 to 3 inches
Prescott Valley 0 to 1 inches Seligman 1 to 2 inches

High winds and snow will limit visibility and there will likely be accidents on the roadways. If you don’t need to go somewhere, we recommend staying home

Power outages could occur, so you should plan for them. Make sure your pets are in a warm environment. Make sure your cell phone, two-way radio and other batteries you will need are charged or available.

Remember when shoveling snow to take it easy.

Winter Weather Advisory issued for northern Arizona

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The National Weather Service in Bellmont issued a winter weather advisory for areas abover 6500-feet. The advisory started at 2:52 this afternoon and is in effect until Thursday, November 3 at 11 p.m.

Plan on slippery road conditions. Patchy blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute.

Possible Snow forecast from 11 PM Wednesday to 11 PM Thursday are Doney Park 2 to 4-inches, Flagstaff 4 to 8-inches, Forest Lakes 4 to 6-inches, Heber-Overgaard 1 to 3-inches, Shonto 1 to 3-inches and Williams 4 to 8-inches.

Temperatures are expected to be freezing during the advisory raising to 54-degrees Saturday. The temperatures should remain in the mid-50s during the day through Tuesday and below freezing during the night.

Woman drowned in flash flood

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PAGE – On Saturday, July 31st at 6:00 pm the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and National Park Service (NPS) responded to Labyrinth Canyon on Lake Powell after receiving information of a possible flash flood drowning. Deputies responding to the Labyrinth Canyon area were advised that a female hiking with her family had drowned as a result of flooding in the popular slot canyon.
The Victim, Heather S. Rutledge a 43-year-old female out of Louisville, Ky was hiking the Labyrinth Canyon with her husband and 3 sons at approximately 2 pm when she and her family were caught in a flash flood that ultimately drowned Mrs. Rutledge. The husband and children were ultimately able to locate Heather and performed CPR but were unsuccessful. Family members unable to move Heather, had to make their way back to the boat they had rented and get help.

Once back at the Rental Boat they discovered it had been damaged by the flash flood and was undrivable. A boater in the area was able to tow the boat out to the mouth of Labyrinth Canyon where contact was made with an NPS Boat. NPS transported the Victims family back to Antelope Point Marina where rescuers were preparing to locate and recover Heather. Due to weather conditions, darkness, and the potential of another flash flood, recovery operations were put off until the next Morning, on Sunday August 1.

On the morning of August 1st, at 6:00 am Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputies along with Rangers from NPS drove by boat, to the area in Labyrinth Canyon that the victim and her family had stopped at. Due to flood debris, rescuers could not use the kayaks to get up the rest of the canyon and had to swim through heavy canyon debris, to locate the deceased. Once located, she was removed back to the boat and transported to Wahweap Marina where the Coconino County Medical Examiner took custody of the victim and transported back to Flagstaff.

Special thanks for the invaluable assistance from the National Parks Service in this matter. Further investigation into this incident is being conducted by the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office. No further information is available currently.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office recommends knowing the forecast in an around the area when you are participating in recreational activities in canyon country. Flash Floods can start many miles up canyon from where you are recreating.

More information can be found at the National Weather Service at https://www.weather.gov/mob/Severe_Flood.

Red Flag Warning 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday

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RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 8 PM MST FRIDAY DUE TO STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR WESTERN COCONINO AND YAVAPAI COUNTIES Red Flag Warning issued June 4 at 1:42PM MST until June 5 at 8:00PM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ The National Weather Service in Flagstaff has issued a Red Flag Warning due to strong winds and low relative humidity, which is in effect from 11 AM to 8 PM MST Friday. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect. * AFFECTED AREA…Locations near Fredonia, Grand Canyon, Jacob Lake, North Rim, Prescott, Prescott Valley, Seligman and Valle. This includes portions of the Coconino National Forest, Kaibab National Forest and Prescott National Forest. * WINDS…South 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY…As low as 13 percent. * IMPACTS…The combination of strong gusty winds and low relative humidity may create critical fire weather conditions. Isolated thunderstorms are also possible, which could lead to new fire starts.

Winter Storm Watch

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From Coconino County Emergency Management

In partnership with the National Weather Service WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY MORNING THROUGH EARLY THURSDAY MORNING ABOVE 6000 FEET Winter Storm Watch issued March 16 at 3:06PM MST until March 19 at 6:00AM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ * WHAT…Heavy snow possible above 6000 feet. Total snow accumulation of 8 to 12 inches with locally higher amounts of 16 inches possible. * WHERE…Areas above 6000 feet near Alpine, Doney Park, Flagstaff, Forest Lakes, Heber-Overgaard, Jacob Lake, Pinetop- Lakeside, Show Low and Williams. * WHEN…From Wednesday morning through early Thursday morning. * IMPACTS…Travel could be very difficult to impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact the Wednesday morning or evening commute. Snow forecast from 6 AM Wednesday to 6 AM Thursday: Alpine 6 to 10 inches Doney Park 2 to 4 inches Flagstaff 8 to 12 inches Forest Lakes 9 to 15 inches Heber-Overgaard 3 to 5 inches Jacob Lake 4 to 8 inches Pinetop-Lkside 5 to 9 inches Show Low 3 to 5 inches Williams 8 to 12 inches.

Winter weather advisory for northern Arizona

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WILLIAMS — The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory to start at 5 p.m. today and run to 5 a.m. Saturday for elevations above 5000 feet. Travel should be restricted to necessary travel during the period. If you must travel to Flagstaff, stay well clear of snow plows. It is not safe to travel directly behind the plow.

Ash Fork is not included in the weather advisory, but could get up to 4-inches from the storm. Valle could get up to 5-inches of snow.

Starting today Williams will be partly sunny with a 30% chance of snow showers after 11 a.m. Less than 1/2″ is expected today with 2- to 4-inches of snow accumulation overnight. Winds of 7- to 13-mph today lessening to about 8-mph overnight are expected.

Friday an 80% chance of show might bring up to 3″ of snow with less than 1″ overnight.

Weather is expected to clear Saturday with temperatures reaching the 35-degree range during the day. Monday there is a 20% chance of snow with little accumulation clearing again Tuesday through New Year Day.

Snow forecast from 5 PM Today to 5 AM Saturday:
Doney Park 4 to 8 inches
Flagstaff 5 to 9 inches
Forest Lakes 8 to 12 inches
Heber-Overgaard 4 to 6 inches
Payson 2 to 4 inches
Pine-Strawberry 7 to 11 inches
Sedona 0 to 1 inches
Williams 4 to 8 inches

Winter Storm warning issued for weather through Saturday

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WILLIAMS — NOAA has issued a weather storm warning through November 30 and a wind advisory for November 27. Heavy snow above 4500-feet through Saturday will make holiday travel difficult and possibly dangerous. Localized amounts up to 40 inches over the highest peaks are possible.

The main brunt of the storm is expected to hit Thanksgiving Day leaving a possible 21-inches overnight in Williams. Friday there is a possibility of an additonal 8-inches of snow. There is a slight chance of snow Saturday morning. Weather is expected to clear starting Saturday after 11 a.m.

Snow forecast from 6 AM Thursday to midnight Saturday:

Chino Valley 4 to 6 inches
Doney Park 13 to 19 inches
Flagstaff 21 to 27 inches
Forest Lakes 28 to 36 inches
Fredonia 4 to 6 inches
Grand Canyon 14 to 20 inches
Heber-Overgaard 9 to 15 inches
Jacob Lake 15 to 21 inches
North Rim 22 to 30 inches
Prescott 8 to 12 inches
Prescott Valley 4 to 8 inches
Sedona 4 to 6 inches
Seligman 5 to 9 inches
Valle 9 to 13 inches
Williams 20 to 26 inches

Moisture moving in may bring flash floods

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WILLIAMS — A moist airmass over Arizona with the potential of heavy rain producing thunderstorm complexes caused the National Weather service to issue a flash flood watch in portions of east central and west central Arizona. The areas affected are northern Gila County, Oak Creek and Sycamore Canyons, Yavapai County Mountains, and Yavapai County Valleys and Basins. Rainfall rates can result in strong, rapidly rising water in area washes, which may create hazardous conditions at low water crossings. . Localized rainfall amounts could exceed 1 inch in less than an hour, with storm total rainfall possibly above 3 inches. The Flash Flood Watch runs from September 23 at 3:19AM MST until September 24 at 5:00AM MST.

NOAA warns against crossing flooded roads and low-laying areas. No matter how powerful your vehicle, it does not take much water flow to carry it downstream.

In Williams there is an 40% chance of thunderstorms raising to 80% tonight. Thunderstorms are likely through Sunday.

Campfire Safety Urged This Weekend on Kaibab National Forest

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WILLIAMS – Kaibab National Forest fire managers would like to remind visitors and the public to use extreme caution with campfires and any other activity that could potentially cause a wildfire as the weekend approaches.

Although there are currently no fire restrictions in effect on the forest, a dry cold front will bring stronger southwest winds into the area this weekend. Temperatures will be noticeably cooler however very dry conditions will endure increasing the threat for critical fire weather. A Red Flag Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for all of northern Arizona beginning Wednesday afternoon. Winds are expected to be up to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph today and 22 to 28 mph, with gusts as high as 41 mph on Thursday. Although red flag conditions are not yet set for Friday, winds will be 15 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph.

“When fuel moistures and relative humidity remain low, fire can spread just as fast even when cold temperatures exist” said Fred Phillips Fire Prevention Officer on the Williams Ranger District. “Historically we have seen more unwanted human caused wildfires occur during this time of year when these type of conditions exist.”

We welcome people to visit and enjoy a wide variety of unique recreational opportunities the forest has to offer, but emphasize the message that there is always a need to be responsible with campfires.

The following tips for ensuring a safe visit to the Kaibab National Forest are recommended:

  1. Never abandon or leave a campfire unattended.
  2. Have a shovel and plenty of water on hand to put it out. “Drown, Stir, and Feel!”
  3. Ensure the area surrounding your campfire is free of any burnable materials.
  4. Use existing campfire rings to minimize impact to the surrounding soil.
  5. Remember fireworks are prohibited on all National Forest Lands.
  6. Dispose of all trash and debris in appropriate receptacles.

    Remember that if a fire starts no matter what precautions you take, evacuate the area immediately. Do not try to pack up your stuff and do not try to fight the fire yourself. When you get to a safe location call 911.

    As weather conditions become warmer and drier, fire managers will continue to assess the need to implement fire restrictions. Forest visitors may call the Kaibab National Forest fire information phone line at (928) 635-8311 for current conditions and the status of fire restrictions. To find out if fire restrictions are in effect anywhere in Arizona, visit www.firerestrictions.us/az.