Heavy Snow — Oak Creek and Sycamore Canyons, Arizona

2014-12-31 · Oak Creek and Sycamore Canyons, Arizona

Event narrative

Five and a half inches of snow was reported in Sedona by 500 PM at an elevation around 4500 feet.

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 555958. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.