Winter Weather — Western Mogollon Rim, Arizona

2011-03-21 to 2011-03-22 · Western Mogollon Rim, Arizona

Event narrative

Snow falling across the Western Mogollon Rim made travel on area roads hazardous. Interstate 17 was closed from about 6 miles south of the Coconino/Yavapai to Flagstaff due to a multiple car pile up and Highway 89 was closed from Sedona to Flagstaff due to a snow plow crash. An SUV rolled about 6 miles west of Williams and a passenger died in the crash. The Department of Public Safety responded to over 18 crashes and 20 slide offs. Ten of the crashes involved injuries. The Flagstaff Airport received 7.4 inches of snow, in the town Flagstaff 8 to 9 inches of snow, 4 miles west-northwest of Flagstaff 12 niches, Kachina Village/Mountainaire 7.0 to 9.4 inches, 3 miles north of Parks 6.0 inches, Bellemont 6.9 inches, southwest side of Williams 10 inches, and Snowbowl 5 (at 9500 feet) to 10 inches (at 10,800 feet).

Wider weather episode

A vigorous cold front moved across Arizona with rain, snow, and strong to very strong winds. The winds caused areas of blowing dust and reduced visibility in the Little Colorado River Valley.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 290997. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.