Northern Arizona cannot seem to shake winter

800-BillWilliams-16-05-01 001WILLIAMS — Flagstaff and Williams cannot seem to shake the winter doldrums despite a mild mid-winter. Last week was filled with light snow and some heavy rains which continued through this weekend.

This morning Williams and Flagstaff received cold weather and snow causing some icy road conditions. Less than a half-inch of snow may fall this afternoon turning to rain throughout the night.
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50% chance of thunderstorms are expected tomorrow dropping to 20% chance of rain over Monday night. Tuesday through Thursday will be clear with temperatures in the 60s.
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The chance of rain and cooler weather will return next weekend.

April showers in Williams

Snow16-04-25-09WILLIAMS — April showers began today in Williams about 11:30 and ran until about 1:15 p.m. While the snow was heavy, the accumulation is less than 1/4 inch so far. The snow is expected to continue through the night with little or no snow accumulation. Tomorrow and Wednesday is expected to be clear with a chance of showers picking up Wednesday night and through the weekend.Snow16-04-25-03

Keep safety in mind with wind and possible snow in forecast

Snow20160415_174946PHOENIX — With the weekend forecast calling for gusty winds along with the possibility of snow in higher elevations, motorists should be on alert for adverse weather including blowing dust and limited visibility, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Even though monsoon season hasn’t started, blowing dust is possible throughout the year. ADOT’s safety tips for blowing dust, available at PullAsideStayAlive.org, include:

• Avoid driving into or through a dust storm.
• If you encounter a dust storm, check traffic immediately around your vehicle and begin slowing down.
• Pull off the roadway as soon as possible; don’t wait until poor visibility makes it difficult to do so safely.
• Completely exit the highway if possible, away from where other vehicles may travel; don’t stop in a travel lane or in the emergency lane.
• Turn off all vehicle lights, including emergency flashers.
• Set the emergency brake and take your foot off the brake.
• Stay in the vehicle with seat belts buckled and wait for the storm to pass.

Along with wind gusts and dust, drivers may encounter snow and icy roads in the high country, especially above 6,500 feet from Flagstaff through the Mogollon Rim. Motorists in these areas should leave prepared for winter conditions and pack an emergency road kit, including essential items such as a fully charged cellphone, food and water, and warmer clothes. For more winter driving tips, visitazdot.gov/KnowSnow.

For the most current information about highway conditions, closures and restrictions statewide, visit ADOT’s Travel Information Site at az511.gov or call 511. ADOT’s Twitter account (@ArizonaDOT) is another excellent resource.

Fierce winds and cold follows a nice Resurrection weekend

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.

March comes in with a whimper

Sno160307-01WILLIAMS — Half-frozen puddles, a couple of chunks of ice and a dusting of snow is the remnant of the storm last night. There is a chance of snow overnight and rain on Tuesday clearing the rest of the week. The snow so far this winter could be a danger sign for a poor summer ahead.
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Today there is a slight chance of snow raising to 30% before midnight clearing after that. Winds of 9- to 17-mph are predicted today through Tuesday with gusts of 25-mph possible. A 20% chance of showers exists Tuesday afternoon clearing to sunny skies on Wednesday. The rest of the week sunny skies are predicted with temperatures starting out in the low 60s and dropping to the mid 50s through Sunday. Overnight lows will be just below freezing.

Northern Arizona traditionally gets much of its snow in March and April even getting snow into May a few years. It is impossible to predict just how winter will turn out and the result on water levels and tourist activities over the summer.

Temperatures could drop over Washington’s Birthday

DogtownRoad16-02-13-1WILLIAMS — Those who have grown used to the 60-degree, spring-like weather in Williams may find themselves chilled over Washington’s Birthday on Monday. Temperatures could dip as low as 58-degrees. Temperatures are expected to rise to the mid 60’s again on Tuesday.

Night time temperatures will run from the mid-20’s to around 30-degrees through Tuesday. There will be a slight chance of showers Thursday.

How Williams weathered the storm

2016-01-31-01WILLIAMS — Just as the results of the January storm melted away, northern Arizona was struck with yet another storm.

Rain began about 4 p.m. turning into snow by about 5:30. By about 6:40 there were already two rollover accidents reported. Through out the night, Department of Public Safety officers were kept busy with accidents and searching for lost vehicles.
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Williams residents may have found it necessary to reset clocks as power failed twice for about thirty-seconds starting at about 10:10 p.m. and fluxuations continued until about 10:40.

The storm lasting through Monday dumped about another 10-inches of snow. Fortunately the City of Williams returned to its formal snow removal pattern.
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Snow at Buckskinner and Ski Play road keeps piling up.

Snow at Buckskinner and Ski Play road keeps piling up.


A 10% chance of more snow is predicted for tomorrow before noon with wind chills dropping the temperature to -2 degrees. It is expected to clear up Friday through Tuesday next week with temperatures rising from 38 on Friday to mid 50’s by Tuesday.

There is a storm brewing

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.

Williams is thawing

Buckskinner16-01-23-02WILLIAMS — People have gotten used to the temperatures which froze over the reservoirs at Buckskinner and Santa Fe dams. Since early January, however, the temperatures have rarely dropped to freezing. That is thinning the ice over the reservoirs. People should take care when trying to walk on the reservoirs. The condition should become more hazardous with higher temperatures throughout this week.

A hole has formed on the Buckskinner reservoir as seen in the picture. In addition, the melting snow is causing very muddy conditions. Four-wheel drives are recommended if you plan to take a trip to Dogtown, White Horse or other reservoirs around Williams.
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You might also want to take note that some animals are coming out in search of food. Some may be sick. Take care if you plan to walk off path into the woods.
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Sunny weather through the week

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Moon over Williams early this morning.

WILLIAMS — If you have those outdoor chores to do, this week is the week to do them. The long-range forecast show the temperature rising from a high of 39-degrees in Flagstaff and 41-degrees in Williams to the low 50s by the end of the week. That should burn off much of the remaining snow from the storm at the beginning of the month. Winds should remain calm throughout the week with a chance of around 13-mph tomorrow being the highest. A slight chance of showers returns Saturday night.