Heavy Snow — Western Mogollon Rim, Arizona

2009-12-07 to 2009-12-08 · Western Mogollon Rim, Arizona

Event narrative

Heavy snow fell across the Western Mogollon Rim. One neighborhood in southwest Flagstaff reported 26 inches of snow with other locations in town came in with 20 inches. Parks received 19 to 24 inches, Munds Park 18 to 24, Williams 20 inches, and the Arizona Snowbowl 21 to 32 inches (9200 and 10,800 feet elevation). I-17 was closed several times about 40 miles south of Flagstaff when vehicles wrecked because of the snow. There were at least 52 calls to the Department of Public Safety for slide offs, 18 collisions, and 8 injuries. Flagstaff Police Department responded to at least 42 collisions in the city with two minor injuries.

Wider weather episode

A powerful winter storm hit northern Arizona December 7th and 8th. This storm produced heavy snow, strong winds, and limited visibility in the high country. In the lower terrain, this storm produced heavy rain, damaging winds, and severe thunderstorms. Freeways were closed due to snow and blowing snow, hunters were trapped by heavy snow and falling trees, and over 400 hundred cars slid off the roads. The storm resulted in the largest search and rescue operations in Coconino County with nearly 50 people located from the Grand Canyon to Happy Jack. The Department of Public Safety dispatch center in Flagstaff received 3,000 calls for service within the first 24 hours of this storm. There were close to 550 slide offs and motorist assists, 83 non-injury collisions, and 26 injury collisions across northern Arizona. More than 14,000 customers were without power after the storm passed. Heavy rains loosened soil around boulders allowing them to fall on roadways. This storm caused school closures across the area.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 201480. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.