Heavy Snow — Western Mogollon Rim, Arizona

2016-11-26 to 2016-11-29 · Western Mogollon Rim, Arizona

Event narrative

Ten inches of snow was reported at 10,800 feet above mean sea level. Four to 6 inches of snow was reported around Williams and Flagstaff areas. Eight inches of snow was reported in Munds Park. The heaviest snow fell late afternoon and early evening on Sunday--a very heavy travel day after Thanksgiving and again Monday afternoon and evening. Area law enforcement officials reported the following with this event: 177 crashes and motorist assists (7 injuries) for Arizona Highway Patrol, 83 crashes (10 injuries) for Flagstaff Police, 28 crashes and motorist assist for Coconino County Sheriff, 5 crashes for Northern Arizona University Police. Interstate 17 from Flagstaff to Phoenix was blocked for periods of time because of wrecks and road conditions. There were also wrecks on Interstate 40, Highway 180, and Highway 89.

Wider weather episode

A large trough of low pressure from the Pacific moved across the Western States with three distinct short wave troughs impacting northern Arizona. This storm system brought widespread rain and snow to the area. The heaviest snow fell over the Mogollon Rim at the end of the Thanksgiving weekend.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 662016. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.