Heavy Snow — Grand Canyon Country, Arizona

2019-11-29 to 2019-11-30 · Grand Canyon Country, Arizona

Event narrative

The Grand Canyon Village received 13 - 15 inches of snow (above 6800 feet elevation). A light dusting of snow fell at the bottom of the Canyon at Phantom Ranch (2460 feet elevation). The Grand Canyon National Park and the near by City of Tusayan lost power during the storm impacting more than 1,000 people. The city declared a state of emergency.

Wider weather episode

A very large are of low pressure brought wind, rain, and snow to northern Arizona Thanksgiving day and Black Friday. Strong southerly winds brought very moist air over Arizona with rising snow levels. Heavy rain fell below around 7500 through much of Thanksgiving Day with lowing snow levels the night of November 29th into the 30th with the passage of a cold front. Snowfall was eventually reported at the bottom of The Grand Canyon. Significant snow was reported as well as increased flows in lower elevations creeks and rivers.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 860634. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.