Flagstaff, AZ – The mountain air bites sharply this morning as temperatures hover near 20°F, frost glittering under the early desert sun. Streets gleam with frozen dew and the crisp cold settles deep in the pines — a sure sign that December’s winter grip has arrived in northern Arizona.
According to the National Weather Service in Flagstaff, a persistent high-pressure ridge will keep skies clear and conditions calm, but temperatures will remain frigid through the weekend. Morning lows are expected to drop into the mid-teens, with daytime highs climbing only into the upper 30s to low 50s through Sunday.
Drivers and early commuters should use caution on local highways, including I-17 and I-40, where shaded stretches may hide patches of black ice each morning. While winds stay light, the clear, dry air will allow rapid cooling after sunset, creating perfect conditions for hard freezes in low-lying and rural zones.
By Saturday, highs inch upward toward 50°F, offering a modest break from the chill. Sunday looks milder still, nearing 52°F, before a warmer trend takes hold early next week. Though the skies stay free of snow for now, the cold spell serves as a reminder that winter travel conditions can turn quickly across the high country in December.
Five-Day Outlook (Flagstaff Metro):
- Friday: Sunny, high 46°F, low 23°F.
- Saturday: Sunny, high 51°F, low 26°F.
- Sunday: Sunny, high 50°F, low 26°F.
- Monday: Sunny, high 53°F, low 27°F.
- Tuesday: Sunny, high 57°F, low 30°F.
