Flagstaff, AZ – Emergency officials across Northern Arizona are urging residents to begin preparing today for potential winter hazards, including freezing rain events that can affect the region’s higher elevations. While snowfall is far more common in the state’s high country, the National Weather Service (NWS) warns that freezing rain can create significantly more dangerous conditions—especially along the Mogollon Rim and I-40 corridor.
According to NOAA, even a thin coat of ice can snap weakened tree limbs, damage powerlines, and make major highways hazardous. Temperature inversions and warm-front transitions sometimes allow freezing rain to form in areas such as Flagstaff, Williams, Munds Park, and stretches of Highway 180. With more temperature swings expected this season, officials say today is the ideal time for residents to complete winter readiness steps.
According to the National Weather Service, residents should begin by trimming weak or damaged branches around homes, garages, and walkways. These limbs are often the first to fall when ice accumulates. NOAA also cautions drivers not to lift windshield wipers before storms, as they can freeze to the glass and break; keeping them lowered and covered is recommended.
Emergency managers advise residents to maintain at least a week’s supply of non-perishable food, bottled water, and essential prescriptions. Ice storms can lead to localized power outages and dangerous conditions on mountainous sections of I-40, Highway 89A, and State Route 87. Officials also warn residents not to park vehicles beneath trees, where ice-loaded limbs can fall without warning.
To prepare for potential outages, residents should fully charge phones, flashlights, power banks, and essential devices today. Homeowners with generators should safely store extra gasoline and perform a test run before winter storms develop. Stocking rock salt or ice melt can also help reduce slip hazards around porches and walkways.
“Even occasional ice events can disrupt daily life across Northern Arizona,” the NWS said. “Preparing today is the best way to stay safe this winter.”
