FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – A crisp chill lingers in the high country this morning as Flagstaff wakes under clear skies and calm air. But by the end of the week, clouds will thicken, rain will spread across northern Arizona, and the city could see its first measurable snow of the season.
According to the National Weather Service in Flagstaff, Thursday will stay mostly sunny with highs near 67°F before a significant pattern change arrives Friday. Moisture from a Pacific low will push inland, bringing a 30–40 percent chance of rain through Friday afternoon. By Saturday night, colder air moving behind the front may cause a rain-to-snow changeover above 7,000 feet, including the Flagstaff area. Light accumulations—up to an inch in town and several inches across the San Francisco Peaks—are possible by early Sunday.
Drivers along I-40 and I-17 should prepare for wet pavement Friday, turning slushy at higher elevations late Saturday. The Arizona Department of Transportation advises checking road cameras before mountain travel and packing winter gear if heading north. Winds could also gust to 25 mph during the transition, reducing visibility in heavier bands.
Temperatures will tumble from the upper 60s Thursday to the 40s by Sunday, marking a sharp shift into late-fall chill. By Monday, skies begin to clear but another cold front may sweep through early next week—potentially reinforcing that “winter tease” just before Thanksgiving travel picks up.
Meanwhile, lingering effects from the recent G4 solar storm could still cause brief communication disruptions across Arizona through mid-morning Wednesday.
Five-Day Forecast for Flagstaff, AZ:
Thu: 67/38 – Partly sunny; light south breeze.
Fri: 62/35 – Increasing clouds; 30% chance of showers.
Sat: 59/36 – Showers developing; cooler and breezy.
Sun: 47/30 – Rain and snow mix; gusty winds.
Mon: 47/26 – Mostly cloudy; gradual clearing, cold morning.
