Phoenix (3TV/CBS 5) — A strong weather system will hit Arizona on Tuesday. In addition to lower temperatures, expect strong winds, rain, possible thunderstorms, heavy snow in the highlands and dust in the state’s desert. Thursday is the day the first warnings are issued for most of Arizona.
Morning temperatures in the valley start in the late 30s and early 40s. Under mostly cloudy skies, he’ll be up to 63 degrees this afternoon. Winds pick up throughout the day, with winds of 10-15 mph this morning and 20-30 mph in the afternoon and evening. Gusts of up to 40 mph are likely, and gusts of up to 50 mph are possible. A storm advisory is in effect for the Valley today from 2:00 PM to 11:00 PM.
In our state’s desert, dust reduces visibility and makes travel dangerous. Note the dust channel along I-10 south of the valley. A high wind warning is in effect for Pinal County and Superstition Mountain from 2:00 PM to 2:00 AM, with gusts of up to 70 mph possible.
It’s snowing in Flagstaff and we can expect up to 8 inches of snow.
The chance of precipitation today is about 40%, mainly after 2:00 PM in the Valley. Tonight and tonight the chance will rise to 70%, with near 1/4 inch of precipitation expected.
At high altitudes, heavy snowfall is likely and strong winds can cause blizzards. A winter storm warning is in effect for northern Arizona through 6 a.m. tomorrow and for eastern Arizona through noon. 2 to 6 inches of snow cover can be below 6000 feet and 6 to 12 inches can exceed 6000 feet. Communities such as Cottonwood and Prescott Valley have also issued winter weather advisories for as little as one inch of snow over 3000 feet.
Following the storm, the coldest air of the season is expected to drop temperatures across the desert to below freezing on Thursday morning. Freeze and hard freeze warnings will be issued.
A gradual warm-up is likely over the weekend, but we’re keeping an eye out for the possibility of another storm that could bring possible rain on Sunday and Monday.
AZFamily’s First Alert Weather Mobile App
AZFamily’s First Alert Weather App First allows you to track storms and receive severe weather alerts wherever you are. Get animated radar, hourly and 10-day forecasts, video updates, total precipitation, and interactive traffic maps. It also offers 250 meters of radar, the highest possible resolution. This radar allows you to look into the future, so you can see where the storm is headed.
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