Heavy Snow — Upper Gila River Valley, Arizona

2004-12-05 to 2004-12-06 · Upper Gila River Valley, Arizona

Event narrative

Mount Graham, located at 10,720 feet in the Pinaleno Mountains to the southwest of Safford Arizona, reported a storm total snowfall of 22 inches.

Wider weather episode

An upper level low originating off the California coast interacted with moisture already in place in Southern Arizona. Snow levels started off near 6000 feet and lowered as low as 4500 feet in some locations. Rain amounts in the valleys ranged from a quarter inch, to a widespread half inch, to localized areas with over an inch. Small pea size hail was also reported in some areas.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5428620. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.