Winter Storm — Santa Cruz County, Arizona

2001-04-05 to 2001-04-06 · Santa Cruz County, Arizona

Event narrative

Santa Rita Mountains received 12 inches of snow.

Wider weather episode

A low pressure system developed over the Pacific Northwest on the 2nd and then dropped down off the coast of southern California on the 4th. The system moved over Southern Arizona on the 5th and 6th. Sustained winds increased to 25 and 35 MPH with a few RAWS and surface observing sites reporting gusts over 45 MPH. Blowing dust was also a problem along Interstate 10 in Cochise County and Eastern Pima County. Snow levels started out near 8000 feet and dropped to 4500 feet by the 6th. The low pressure system moved over Southern Arizona overnight with convective showers developing within the cold pool. Most of the deserts and valleys received over .5 inches of rain with some minor urban street flooding on the morning of the 6th. As the low pressure system began to lift toward Northern New Mexico on the 6th, the snow level rose to 5000 feet.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5240799. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.