Arizona’s high country starts the day wrapped in mist, with damp pavement and low visibility already shaping travel. In Flagstaff, winter weather is building steadily, and conditions are expected to worsen as the holiday period unfolds.
According to the National Weather Service, showers continue through today with fog reducing visibility at times. Temperatures stay in the 40s, but gusty southwest winds increase through the afternoon. Roads may remain slick, especially near higher elevations and shaded stretches.
Christmas Day stays unsettled. Rain remains likely, with wind gusts approaching 25 to 30 mph. Highs reach the upper 40s, but the air feels colder under steady cloud cover. Drivers should expect wet roads and occasional visibility drops during heavier showers.
Conditions briefly improve Thursday night, but that break does not last. By Friday, colder air filters in. Rain showers transition toward a rain-and-snow mix, especially during the afternoon and evening. While daytime highs hover near 46 degrees, temperatures fall quickly after sunset.
The biggest concern arrives with post-Christmas travel on Saturday. Rain is expected to change to snow by morning, with snow showers likely through the day. Highs struggle to reach the low 40s, and wind continues to blow. Accumulation appears light, but even minimal snowfall can create slushy roads.
Saturday night brings a sharper hazard. Lows drop near 22 degrees, allowing wet roads to freeze. Bridges, mountain roads, and I-40 corridors could turn icy fast. This is prime black ice territory.
Meteorologists note this system ties into a broader winter pattern impacting the Southwest, with heavy snow ongoing in nearby mountain ranges.
Travel tips:
Slow down in fog. Expect slick roads after dark. Build extra time Saturday.
📅 Five-Day Outlook — Flagstaff, AZ
- Christmas Day: Rain likely, high 47
- Thursday Night: Chance of showers, low 36
- Friday: Rain and snow possible, high 46
- Saturday: Rain changing to snow, high 43
- Saturday Night: Colder, low 22
