PHOENIX — Arizona is bracing for a series of winter storms set to bring rain, snow, and a significant drop in temperatures, impacting travel and outdoor activities across the state. In light of these conditions, Wednesday and Thursday have been designated as ABC15 Weather Action Days, encouraging residents to prepare for the impending weather changes.
The first storm is expected to arrive on Wednesday, with Valley highs dipping into the low 60s. Scattered rain showers are likely, particularly in the afternoon and evening, with many areas seeing between a tenth to a quarter of an inch of rain, while certain locations could approach half an inch.
Snow levels will remain relatively high on Wednesday, hovering around 6,000 to 7,000 feet. This means areas in northern Arizona and along the Mogollon Rim will likely experience a rain-snow mix.
As the second storm moves in from the northwest on Thursday, snow levels will decrease to about 5,000 feet. This could result in two to four inches of snow in parts of the Mogollon Rim and four to six inches in elevated regions above 7,000 feet.
While rain will be less widespread on Thursday, a few isolated thunderstorms might develop, potentially generating heavier downpours. Additionally, winds will intensify, with gusts reaching up to 25 mph in the Valley and possibly nearing 40 mph in northern Arizona.
By Friday, conditions are expected to dry out, but the arrival of colder air following the second storm will lead to chilly temperatures, with Valley highs in the upper 50s to low 60s and overnight lows dipping into the 30s in many neighborhoods by Saturday morning.
In related weather trends, Phoenix has been experiencing lower rainfall averages over recent years. The city’s average monsoon rainfall has decreased from 2.71 inches (1981-2010) to 2.43 inches (1991-2020), while the average yearly rainfall has seen a similar decline, moving from 8.03 inches to 7.22 inches over the same periods.
Residents are encouraged to share their weather-related photos and videos to capture the changing conditions.