Williams prepares for Mountain Village Holiday

640-141029-18WILLIAMS – The trees are starting to look bare as the beautiful fall colors are starting to give way to the coming winter. The long range forecast shows a possibility of snow on Sunday. The city is stringing lights. The Pumpkin Patch train ended and the Grand Canyon Railway Haunted Train has given way to Christmas lights in preparation for Mountain Village Holiday. The annual Mountain Village Holiday begins Thanksgiving weekend and runs through the new year.

The Grand Canyon Railway is also preparing the Polar Express which starts November 7 and runs through the new year.

The City of Williams has sent applications for the annual lighting contest and they may also be picked up at the City Hall on First Street.

300-MVH-1Mountain Village Holiday kicks off with the annual lighting of the Christmas tree on Second Street and a Parade of Lights. During this period the Young Life camp hosts a Thanksgiving dinner and the Kiwanis Club hosts a community dinner.

There is still plenty of Halloween, of course. The scarecrows still adorn Route 66. Bearizona ends their Howly Growly Owly Festival tomorrow. Their new cave display of small creatures of the west—such as mice, scorpions and Ringtail Cats—will remain.

The First Baptist and Family Harvest Churches, across from Safeway on Grant, will hold safe activities for the kids.

Of course trick-or-treating of the houses and businesses on Route 66 will still be available.

Just after Halloween, the weather forecast shows a chance of rain on Saturday with a low of 37. Sunday there is a 30% chance of snow with accumulations of less than a half-inch. A high of 47 is possible during the day dropping to 23-degrees overnight. Fair weather returns Monday with highs around 50-degrees during the day dropping to the mid-20s at night.

Bad news for lunar eclipse observers

tsra60Another thunderstorm has moved into northern Arizona which may interfere with the viewing of the lunar eclipse in the early morning hours of Wednesday.

From Flagstaff through Williams to Prescott there is a prediction of thunderstorms from 40% to 70% over the viewing area. Even if the rain is light, the clouds will certain pose a threat to the viewing of the celestial event.

The clouds were heavy during the September “Supermoon,” but the moon did peek out making for good photographs. That may be the case for the upcoming lunar eclipse.

ADOT to ensure roadway safety as another storm moves into state

640-140915-17PHOENIX – Following last week’s record rainfall in the Phoenix metropolitan area, the Arizona Department of Transportation is preparing for another tropical storm this week that is expected to bring more heavy rain and possible localized flooding to several regions of the state.

The National Weather Service is forecasting significant moisture in the state this week as a result of Hurricane Odile, which is making its way north into the Baja California, Mexico region.

Maintenance crews in the Phoenix and Tucson areas and statewide will be prepared to address road safety issues if flooding, mudslides or rockslides occur. Crews will be monitoring weather conditions and be ready to respond quickly to clear the roads and maintain safe driving conditions for motorists when Mother Nature wreaks havoc on our state.

ADOT is also working in close coordination with cities and the Department of Public Safety to be as prepared as possible when heavy rain is in the forecast.

“Our goal has been – and will continue to be – to focus on public safety and protecting our community members,” said ADOT Director John Halikowski. “ADOT will strive to ensure that all people, systems and equipment are operating efficiently to accomplish this goal.”

ADOT is also asking drivers to slow down on wet pavement and to avoid driving into areas if flooding occurs. No motorist should ever drive through a flooded wash.

It’s important that drivers take it slow and drive safely in heavy rain and low visibility conditions. ADOT, along with the Department of Public Safety, offer the following safety tips for motorists:

  • First and foremost, SLOW DOWN. The posted speed limit may not be a safe speed to travel in bad weather. On wet roads your vehicle will have less traction than on a dry road. Slower travel speeds allow for safer stopping distances.
  • Be sure to leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front of you and be aware of the vehicles around you in other travel lanes. Braking will be affected by wet and slippery roadway surfaces.
  • Do not enter an area where the roadway has been closed by barricades due to flooding. You risk your life and face being cited under the state’s “Stupid Motorist” law.
  • Storm runoff can loosen boulders and rocks on slopes above highways. Stay alert in rockfall-prone areas.
  • Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars, causing loss of control or possible stalling. One to two feet of water will float most vehicles and can cause them to be swept away.
  • If traffic lights are out, treat an intersection just like a four-way stop.

Bellemont gets the view

600px-Bow-02BELLEMONT – The flaky monsoons continue this weekend. Yesterday while Flagstaff was dumped on, Williams received little or no precipitation. In the middle Bellemont was treated to a spectacular view of a double rainbow. Our pictures unfortunately did not do it justice.

belllemont-rainbow-0905The monsoons are expected to continue throughout the weekend with Flagstaff and Williams receiving similar forecasts. There is a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms today rising to around 80% through Monday night. Tuesday the forecast drops back down to around 50%.

Winds are expected to be no more that ten-miles-per-hour throughout the period.
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Williams wakes up to damp weather

zl-140903-29WILLIAMS – Williams woke up, this morning, to damp streets as a light rain fell overnight. The long-range forecast shows rain today through Monday of next week.

There are reports of heavy rain in Prescott which is making way toward Williams. The forecast in Flagstaff and Williams this week calls for 40% chance of thunderstorms today dropping to 30% tonight through Friday night. The chance raises to 40% again Saturday with a 60% on Sunday.

The highest winds are expected today and tomorrow. Winds today will be 5 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Winds are expected to rise to 6 to 11 mph tonight through tomorrow dropping slight tomorrow night.

Election day expected to be full of thunder and lightning

300px-to-polls-az2WILLIAMS – Election day in the northland is expected to be full of thunder and lightning. And that is just the weather. The weather forecast for tomorrow is 90% chance of heavy rain with thunder. Winds will be from the south at 7- to 13-mph with gusts as high as 21-mph.

This could aid the already dismal prediction by the office of the Secretary of State of a voter turnout of about 25%. The prediction is based on statistics showing that voter turnout has fallen within that range for non-presidential elections.

In Williams, voters will decide two issues with Proposition 402. The first is that John Moore, running for re-election as Mayor, and the three councilmen running be declared winners in the primary without having to run in the general election in November. They are running unopposed for the first time in recent memory.

The second item is to decide to adopt the Home Rule option which will allow Williams to use alternate expenditure limits. Under this rule the city will be able to spend $20,524,880 in 2015-2016, $20,868,492 in 2016-2017, $21,220,580 in 2017-2018, and $21,581,371 in 2018-2019 based on the current budget process through April 24, 2014. The expenditure limitations are estimates which might be raised or lowered depending on available revenue.

There will be no surprises in the LD-6 race since all candidates are running unopposed. While the late Chester Crandell is still on the ballot and will win the election, former Senator Sylvia Allen was recently chosen to replace him on the ballot in November. The only surprises might be if someone decides to file as a write-in for November.

All eyes are currently on the race to see who will represent the Republican party for governor in November. Polls show Doug Ducey and Scott Smith in the lead for the nomination in the primary. Ducey is endorsed by Sheriff Joe Arpio who also endorsed Janet Napalitano. Scott Smith is endorsed by the current governor.

The one candidate who actually seemed to have some encouraging plans for Arizona, however, is Frank Riggs. He is against Common Core in schools and amnesty by executive order. He was recently endorsed by rocker Ted Nuggent for his Second Amendment stance. He is also in favor of charter schools. He started and left an organization promoting and helping charter schools get started.

All of the candidates speak of securing the border with National Guard as the State of Texas recently did. This, however, must come out of the State budget.

The outcome for the Republican nomination for Congressional District 1 will also be interesting. Voters will decide if Gary Kiehne, Adam Kwasman or Andy Tobin will battle against Ann Kirkpatrick in November. This race is also said to be a dead heat.

The other races of interest are the two “embattled” Republican John Huppenthal and Tom Horne. Both ran into scandals earlier this year and while the Republicans clamored to have Tom Horne step down, very few went after John Huppenthal if media reports are to be believed.

Despite the pleas, Tom Horne is seeking re-election to the office of Attorney General. Mark Brnovich is seeking the nomination from Tom Horne to face Democrat Felecia Rotellini.

Diane Douglas seeks to win the nomination for Superintendent of Public Instruction from John Huppenthal. Ironically, the communist element of Arizona revealed earlier this year that Huppenthal made posts on social media and various conservative web sites promoting himself for supporting Common Core—the communists answer to education. Diane Douglas is running on a platform to stop Common Core altogether.

Rainy days and Tuesdays

rain140819-1025WILLIAMS – The weather for Flagstaff and Williams for the week is roughly the same with Flagstaff getting a slightly better chance for rain on Thursday with 40% chance. The chance in Williams on that day will be 30%.

The long-range forecast for Williams shows a 40% chance of rain tonight and a 50% chance in Flagstaff. The rest of the week there is a 30% chance of rain and thunderstorms dropping to 20% on Friday and a slight chance on Friday night. Winds are expected to be between 5 and 11-mph.

Interestingly the people who normally complain about the snow are complaining little about the current rain. Currently the Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts another unusually dry winter for the region.

Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputies called to investigate lightning strike.

FOREST LAKES – On Saturday, August 9, 2014 at about 4:00 pm a Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputy assigned to the Forest Lakes Community and the Forest Lakes Fire Department were dispatched to the area of Spillway Campground at Woods Canyon Lake for a report of an adult male who was struck by lightning.

Once the emergency first responders arrived, they found a 41 year old man of Queen Creek, AZ had been struck by a bolt of lightning on his upper torso in the area of his right shoulder. On scene observation revealed the lightning exited the victim’s body through his big toes.

Medical personnel immediately began life saving efforts on the victim who appeared to be seriously injured. Due to the inclement weather, including heavy rain and hail, responders determined that air evacuation of the victim was not a safe option.

He was taken to the Payson Regional Hospital by ground ambulance and was subsequently transported to the Maricopa Burn Center. The investigation has revealed the victim, his wife and two children were at Woods Canyon Lake for a day of fishing when a large storm front moved over the Woods Canyon Lake area.

According to witnesses the victim lifted a metal framed camp chair over his head for cover at which time a bolt of lightning struck him and a tree located in close proximity to the victim’s location. The last report received by the Sheriff’s Office listed the victim good condition.

You should be aware of the dangers that may come with monsoons. The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and the US Forest Service want visitors to enjoy their time on the forests and encourage visitors planning a trip to the area to “Know Before You Go”

Lightning: What You Need to Know

  • NO PLACE outside is safe when thunderstorms are in the area
  • If you hear thunder, lightning is close enough to strike you
  • When you hear thunder, immediately move to safe shelter: a substantial building with electricity or plumbing or an enclosed, metal-topped vehicle with windows up
  • Stay in safe shelter at least 30 minutes after you hear the last sound of thunder

Last Resort Outdoor Risk Reduction Tips

If you are caught outside with no safe shelter anywhere nearby the following actions may reduce your risk:

  • Immediately get off elevated areas such as hills, mountain ridges or peaks
  • Never lie flat on the ground
  • Never shelter under an isolated tree
  • Never use a cliff or rocky overhang for shelter
  • Immediately get out and away from ponds, lakes and other bodies of water
  • Stay away from objects that conduct electricity (barbed wire fences, power lines, windmills, etc.)

Forecast weather conditions can be found at the National Weather Service webpage.

More rain for Flagstaff and Williams

rain-140810-20WILLIAMS – The roar of glasspacks from the Cool Country Cruise-In have been replaced with the rolling thunder of the monsoons. Thunder started sounding about 1pm in Williams and the rain descended shortly thereafter.

Williams and Flagstaff share a similar forecast through next week. 40% chance of showers overnight rising to 50% tomorrow through Wednesday with a 40% chance Monday night. The rain Monday is expected to occur mainly after noon. Winds are expected to be from 5- to 11-mph during that period.

There is a chance of thunderstorm activity from Thursday through next weekend.