Category Archives: Hazardous Weather Warning

Wet weather expected to continue until Friday

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The remnants of hurricane Paine push moisture into the area.

The remnants of hurricane Paine push moisture into the area.

WILLIAMS — The approaching fall season was met with wet weather. The front will bring possible thunderstorms to Williams, Flagstaff and the surrounding area.

The weather service reports that a cold front approaching from the north will bring windy conditions to many areas on Thursday. This front will bring more showers and thunderstorms to mainly northern and western sections of the state. Some storms near the Utah border and in western Coconino county may become severe.

Briefly colder conditions will arrive behind the front Friday. Drier and warmer weather will develop over the coming weekend and into early next week.

HIgh Wind Advisory today through tonight.

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noaaThe National Weather Service has issued a high wind advisory from 11 a.m. today through 7 p.m. tonight from Ash Fork to Flagstaff. The high wind advisory extends to Tusayan and Prescott.

Winds will be from the southwest from 20 to 30 mph gusting up to 50 mph. Travelers should take caution driving from Ash Fork to Flagstaff.

Possible thunderstorms for Run for the Wall

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run-for-the-wallroute01WILLIAMS — On Wednesday, the motorcycle rally, Run For the Wall begins their travel to the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington to arrive on Memorial Day. Their traditional first overnight stop is Williams and Flagstaff. We have greeted them with sun and snow. This year it appears that we will greet them with thunderstorms.

Run For the Wall started out in 1989 as a small group of motorcycle riders led by James Gregory and Bill Evans. Since then they have grown to hundreds of motorcycle riders who travel each year to promote healing among Vietnam veterans and call for a full accounting of those missing in action.

Sadly, however, many of the veterans can are passing or getting too old to make the trip. There are others—family members, new veterans and even active military—who are picking up the gauntlet and keeping the movement alive.


The valiant riders do not seem deterred by any weather northern Arizona can throw at them. In 2011 they rode into a snow storm. They even have a patch commemorating the event. They group sets up a trailer to sell souvenirs each year, so people can support the mission by purchasing patches, shirts, hats and other memorabilia of the event. The trailer is set up at the American Legion Cordova Post #13 at 425 Grant Avenue in Williams.

NOAA predicts thunderstorms tomorrow through Wednesday night. There is a slight chance Thursday clearing Thursday night. We can expect clear, though breezy, weather through the weekend.

Fierce winds and cold follows a nice Resurrection weekend

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Zip line will likely be closed through Wednesday.

Zip line will likely be closed through Wednesday.

Clouds over Route 66 in Williams.

Clouds over Route 66 in Williams.

WILLIAMS — Fierce and cold winds are expected in Williams and Flagstaff through tomorrow night. Clouds rolled in this morning in Williams and a sprinkling of rain fell in Williams and Parks around 1 p.m.

In the Williams area, there is a slight chance of rain this afternoon raising to 30% overnight. A 30% chance of snow is expected for Tuesday through Wednesday dropping to 20% Wednesday night. It is expected to clear Thursday with temperatures rising to 63-degrees over the weekend. The forecast for Flagstaff is about the same with a 10% higher chance of rain and snow tonight and tomorrow.

There is a storm brewing

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Tuesday snow 2016-01-05 003WILLIAMS — In case you had not noticed, there is an increase in cold wind as a storm front moves into the area. Flagstaff and Williams have about the same forecast with wind gusts of around 30-mph expected through Monday. Tonight there is a 20% chance of rain with 90% chance of snow Sunday through Sunday night. Winter storm warnings have been issued through Monday. Up to 13″ of snow is possible over Sunday night with 3 to 5″ more on Monday. Sunny skies are expected to return Tuesday through Friday.

Might be 13″ by the end of the day.

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OldTrails16-01-06-01WILLIAMS — About 4″ of snow fell this morning, in Williams, and Fox 10 in Phoenix reported that almost 9″ more may fall today. NOAA has predicted as much as 13″ through Friday, but we may be in for much more. Williams is predicted to get about twice as much snow as Flagstaff today. However the sun began to peek out about 9:45 a.m.

People planning to go to Flagstaff may want to reconsider for the next few days. I-17 around Munds Park is currently closed to traffic and there may be more closures in store. We do not recommend attempting to use Route 66 through Parks as an alternate route. Check ADOT before you travel.

Thanks to Old Trails True Value Hardware, I was able to clear snow in about half the time as I did with my old shovel.

Overcast cools Williams

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Weather2016-01-03-2WILLIAMS — It was warm much of the early afternoon, in Williams, until the clouds blew in cooling temperatures in the city.

SnoAngel16-01-01-1Williams and Flagstaff share nearly the same forecast over the next week with snow possible from tonight through Friday. Six-inches of snow could be possible over the week.

The chance of snow starts tonight with 30% overnight with a possible half-inch of accumulation overnight. The chance of snow shifts between 50% to 80% throughout the week. Winds will remain relatively normal at about 10-mph maximum with gusts up to 18 through Tuesday.

This, of course, means a chance of snow angels. It also means icy roads, so people should take the appropriate precautions by slowing down on I-40 and the highways.

It also means that the snow plows will be out enforce so motorist should watch out for them. Parking downtown will be risky as the city workers battle the influx of new snow for the new year.

Williams Winter Wonderland causing problems

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WILLIAMS — High winds began about 9:30 this morning and by 8 a.m., Williams had a covering of about 3″ from the overnight storm. It is not over yet. NOAA predicts snow throughout the day. The sun peeked out for a couple of hours, but clouds began to reappear by about 10:45.

Road conditions are reported to be hazardous. Social media reports that one person had to turn back to Williams at Parks because of white out conditions. Another report is that the plowing between Williams and Ash Fork had not started.

The crews of the City of Williams were out about 8 a.m. clearing the roadways.

With winter storms arriving, drivers should prepare for rain, snow, dust

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PHOENIX — Winter’s worst is still ahead as the El Niño weather pattern promises above-normal precipitation, but with storm systems heading into Arizona starting this weekend, travelers should prepare for rain, snow, strong winds and the potential for blowing dust.

As of Friday morning, the National Weather Service was calling for locally strong winds reaching up to 55 mph across eastern Arizona, followed by colder temperatures and scattered rain and snow continuing into Saturday. Between 2 and 5 inches of snow was expected in the White Mountains, eastern Mogollon Rim and northern Gila County, with higher totals possible.

A second, colder storm system was forecast to pass through next week, creating the potential for 1 to 4 inches of snow in higher elevations.

With public safety its top priority during winter storms, the Arizona Department of Transportation deploys resources quickly before, during and after to keep highways safe for travelers, limit highway closures and clear snow and ice as soon as possible. ADOT’s 200 snowplows are serviced and ready, and 450 snowplow operators are trained and on alert.

Because of Arizona’s diverse climate, travelers can drive from sunny and moderate conditions in the low desert to ice and snow in the mountains in just a couple of hours. They should leave prepared to drive in snowy and icy conditions.

With that in mind, ADOT offers these tips:

Slow down, be patient and drive safely. Plan for extra travel time. Use extra caution if snowplows are on the road.
Wear warm clothing.
Be aware that ice forms on bridges first and is hard to see.
When driving behind a snowplow, stay back at least four car lengths. If you think you’re traveling too close to a plow, you probably are.
Never pass a snowplow that’s clearing snow and ice off the road.
Make sure your tank is at least three-quarters full.
Notify someone of your route, destination and expected arrival time.
Pack an emergency preparedness kit that includes blankets, extra clothes, a flashlight, an ice scraper, a shovel, sand for traction, a fully charged cellphone and hazard warning lights or reflectors.
Brake slowly to avoid panic braking or jerking the steering wheel.
Increase the distance between you and traffic ahead.
Carry plenty of food and water, as well as any medications you need.
Carry tire chains and snow cables, or use snow tires.

For more information on driving in wintry conditions, please visit azdot.gov/KnowSnow.

Snow makes for a beautiful Williams morning

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640-Snow-15-12-12-01WILLIAMS — If you reserved your tickets for the Polar Express tonight, you picked a winner. With little snow yesterday, Williams woke up to a fine blanket of snow which made for a beautiful morning.
640-Snow-15-12-12-07
Williams received about an inch of snow overnight. By afternoon the city had received about three-inches. It is expected to clear up overnight with the chance of snow picking up Sunday night through Monday night. Another 2-4 inches is possible.640-Snow-15-12-12-04I do not usually wake up early especially on a weekend. I had to take an exam in Flagstaff, however, and was pleasantly surprised by the winter wonderland. If you plan to visit Williams, plan a tour around in the early morning or early evening to check out the city lights.

I-40 this morning was slick and heavy with snow, but amazingly clear of accidents. On the return trip leaving Flagstaff about 12 p.m., we encountered only one accident which did not block or delay traffic.

Flagstaff received about the same amount of snow, but likely Snow Bowl is benefiting from the eight-inches predicted above 8000′. The snow is not finished, however, and an inch or two more might fall before the evening.

More photos on our Facebook page.