Heavy Snow — Northern Greenlee, Arizona

2002-12-17 to 2002-12-18 · Northern Greenlee, Arizona

Event narrative

Hannagan Meadow recorded 20 inches of snow during the event period.

Wider weather episode

A strong storm system moved down along the Pacific coast and caused significant snow amounts within a 24 hour period on the 17th and 18th in the White Mountains and Mt Graham. Scattered showers developed early on the morning of the 17th, with reports of snow level initially at 7000 to 8000 feet. By the afternoon on the 17th, convective bands developed and moved over central and southern portions of Arizona. Although Graham and Northern Greenlee counties were impacted significantly by the heavy snow, other locations across southeast Arizona also received snow reports. Mt Lemmon reported 8 inches of snow and Santa Rita, Chiricahua, and Huachuca Mountains received 4 to 6 inches of snow. Cooperative stations like Sierra Vista, Bisbee, and Tombstone that are located around 4000 feet recorded a trace of snow.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5325220. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.