Parts of Arizona are getting a winter snowstorm this week

Parts of Arizona are expecting snow this week as a winter-like storm drops temperatures as much as 20 degrees below normal for this time of year.

National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists flagged the incoming storm system Wednesday morning, although no winter weather advisories have been officially issued. There are still some uncertainties, but forecasters are confident a cold weather system will bring widespread rain to northern Arizona, with lower snow levels Friday, leading to hazardous travel conditions Friday and Saturday.

“Get ready to break out those sweaters and jackets! Temperatures will drop 10 to 20 degrees below normal on Friday, leaving many places with highs in the 40s and 50s. Warmer weather looks set to return for the week coming,” at the NWS office. Flagstaff posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Another post said: “The first winter-like storm will hit northern Arizona later this week and into the weekend. Much colder temperatures, high winds and high-elevation rain/snow expected “.

NWS meteorologist Paige Konieczny said Newsweek this snowfall will remain mostly above 7,000 feet, with more impactful snow amounts expected in areas above 8,000 feet.

“That’s pretty typical for this time of year,” he said. “We’re heading into our winter season, so getting snow here in mid-October is not completely out of the norm.”

However, the change in temperatures will be felt “dramatically,” Konieczny said, as the region has experienced above-normal temperatures in recent weeks.

“But these temperatures appear to be rather short-lived once the storm system moves out of the area,” he said.

Normal temperatures are expected to return next week.

Counties expecting snowfall include Coconino, Apache, Navajo and northern Gila. Heavy snow will remain largely in the mountainous areas, with up to 1.5 inches expected in more populated areas.

“The areas that see the highest (snow) levels are mountain tops,” Konieczny said, adding that up to 10 inches of snow is expected at higher elevations.

With this likely to be the first snowfall of the season, Konieczny said, there are travel issues. In addition, the winds will be strong.

Arizona’s forecast comes as other parts of the United States expect cold temperatures and, in the case of Montana, heavy snow. Earlier this week, freeze advisories and frost warnings were in place across much of the central and midwestern US, with some warnings along the East Coast as well.

“Cooler temperatures, rain and light snow are expected across the Midwest and parts of the eastern United States early this week as a cold front moves through,” the NWS said.

Frost warnings and freeze advisories remained in place Wednesday morning in some states, including Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina, as well as parts of the eastern U.S.