Flagstaff, AZ – The early morning air bites across northern Arizona, the pines around Flagstaff shimmering under a crisp 36°F sky. Calm for now, the chill clings to the high country as the first real hints of winter weather settle in. By midmorning, the sun will warm the San Francisco Peaks, but it won’t erase the sting in the breeze.
The National Weather Service in Flagstaff reports a sunny but cool Friday, with highs near 63°F and light north winds. Lows will fall again to around 32°F by dawn Saturday — another night flirting with a hard freeze for higher valleys and open fields. Gardeners and ranchers should continue protecting plants and livestock sensitive to frost.
Saturday brings mild sunshine and highs near 65°F, but conditions will change quickly by Sunday. Southwest winds strengthen through the day — gusts could hit 25 mph across open plateaus and interstates like I-40. Travelers can expect patchy crosswinds, especially east of town.
Despite the winds, skies stay mostly clear and dry through early next week. Highs hover in the low to mid-60s, while lows dip to freezing or below in rural pockets.
Models hint at a stronger front next weekend — potentially the season’s first snow-bearing system for the higher mountains. For now, Flagstaff holds its fall balance: bright days, cold nights, and an unmistakable early-winter feel that’s here to stay.
