Heavy Snow — Northern Gila County, Arizona

2014-12-31 · Northern Gila County, Arizona

Event narrative

Trained spotters reported 14 inches of new snow in Pine by 845 PM and 10 inches in Payson by 930 PM. Tonto Village reported 13.5 inches of snow.

Wider weather episode

A cold and strong area of low pressure moved southward along the California Coast and became cut off from the jet stream of the southern California Coast. This low brought moisture streaming northward over Arizona. Then, the low moved northeastward over Arizona with lowering snow levels. This storm lasted into New Years Day with the bulk of snow falling before midnight. A few higher elevation locations reported an additional 3-4 inches of snow in the New Year. Almost an inch of snow was reported at Phantom Ranch in the bottom of The Grand Canyon.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 555949. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.