Strong winds across AZ; Flagstaff may get snow
After a sunny weekend, temperatures are about to get cooler in Flagstaff and northern Arizona.
According to the National Weather Service in Flagstaff, Monday and Tuesday should be mostly sunny, with temperatures between 27 and 48 degrees. With a high-wind warning going into effect Tuesday, gusts up to 60 mph are expected from Tuesday evening through Wednesday. Temperatures will stay between 15 and 30 degrees the rest of the week, with snow expected starting Wednesday.
Winds and below-normal temperatures will result in single-digit to below-zero wind chills overnight on Wednesday and Thursday, according to the weather service. Additional snow is possible between Thursday and Saturday.
Similarly, metro Phoenix residents will enjoy warm weather for a bit before strong winds and chilly temperatures hit the area mid-week, meteorologist Jared Heil of the National Weather Service in Phoenix said.
“Mostly dry, warm and pleasant temperatures will stay around until Tuesday,” Heil said. “But then it will be unusually windy Tuesday night through Wednesday.”
According to Heil, a much stronger cold front system is expected to sweep through, bringing winds of up to 50 mph and much cooler temperatures that will remain until next weekend, he said.
Lows for Wednesday through Friday will remain in the upper 50s to low 60s, Heil said.
Rainfall is not too likely, yet Heil advised residents to bring in any outdoor furniture or garbage cans before Tuesday night to protect them from the winds.
The same storm is also expected to impact Tucson and its surrounding areas with strong winds and light showers.
Wind gusts of up to 40 mph are expected all day Wednesday, and some areas are prone to blowing dust, said meteorologist Jeff Davis with the weather service in Tucson.
“Most of the areas are in a high wind watch, and a storm warning is in effect for basically late Tuesday and Wednesday,” Davis said.
Highs and lows well below normal will remain after Wednesday, Davis said, with the coldest temperatures expected for Thursday right after the storm.
Davis advised travelers planning to go north starting mid-week to be aware of possible blowing dust and winter weather conditions.
“If you have any travel plans around that time frame, you might want to reconsider your dates or take a different route,” Davis said.