Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Flagstaff, AZ
Issued by NWS Flagstaff, AZ
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425 FXUS65 KFGZ 192306 AFDFGZ Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Flagstaff AZ 406 PM MST Wed Nov 19 2025 .SYNOPSIS...Cold and showery conditions will continue to be the main story through at least Thursday, with an unsettled pattern likely over the weekend. Expect rain and high elevation snow through Thursday, where snow accumulation could reach down to 6500 feet. && .DISCUSSION...The upper low responsible for our stormy and cold weather the past couple of days is shifting slowly eastward into Arizona this afternoon. A very moist southerly flow, combined with large scale lift associated with the low continues to result in widespread rain and snow showers with isolated thunderstorms. Snow levels have been mostly in the 6500-7000 ft range, though meager daytime heating has allowed for most roads to melt through the day. Streams and rivers are running high for most areas along/south of the Mogollon Rim, with some flooding along Fossil Creek and some low-water crossings along Oak Creek also impacted from Oak Creek Canyon down to Cornville. Through the rest of the afternoon, we`re seeing some additional convective elements with a few heavy showers expected. Some of the heavier precip through sunset looks like central/western Yavapai County where a Flood Watch continues through 5 PM. After sunset this evening, conditions will become favorable again for some light accumulation on roadways, mostly above 6500 feet so use caution if traveling. Generally expecting up to an inch or two of additional snow this evening into Thursday morning from the Flagstaff region up to Grand Canyon country, with a possibility for some slightly heavier accumulations from the eastern Mogollon Rim into the White Mountains. As the low shifts eastward through the overnight hours into Thursday, the eastern part of the state should see the brunt of the precip with 0.25"-0.50" additional in the latest forecast. This translates to 1-4" of snow above about 7000 feet, with higher amounts over the White Mountain peaks. Thursday evening through Friday - our current system will move east as an upstream low shifts southeast toward our region. Most of the model data takes the next low south into northern Baja by Saturday afternoon, then gradually shifts it east-northeastward into Arizona Saturday night through Sunday. The trend in the track of the low late in the weekend has been slightly farther north since yesterday, so the chance of precipitation has increased. This afternoon`s forecast has 40-50% chances for precipitation Saturday night through Sunday. With variability in the low track impacting eventual snow levels and precipitation amounts, it`s a bit too early to get specific about impacts - but it would be a good idea to keep in touch with the latest forecasts if you have late weekend travel plans. && .AVIATION...Thursday 20/00Z through Friday 21/00Z...MVFR-LIFR conditions. WDSPRD SHRA/SHSN through through 12-15Z, with SCT SHRA/SHSN and improving conditions thereafter. Winds VRB 5-10 kts, becoming W/SW after 18Z. OUTLOOK...Friday 21/00Z through Sunday 23/00Z...ISO-SCT SHRA/SHSN is expected each day, with periods of IFR/MVFR conditions expected. Otherwise, VFR conditions with E/SE winds 5-10 kts. Locally gusty NE winds downwind of the terrain overnight. && .FIRE WEATHER...Thursday through Friday...Look for scattered showers, becoming more isolated as the day progresses and the first storm moves off to the east. Snow level will be around 6000-7000 feet Thursday. On Friday another storm approaches the area bringing more showers but this one looks like it will track further south so most of the activity will be south of the I-40 corridor. Snow level between 6000-7500 feet. Winds W 5-15 mph Thursday, SE 5-10 mph Friday. Saturday through Monday...The chance for showers will continue through the weekend, primarily south of the I-40 corridor on Saturday and area wide Sunday. Snow level will range between 7000- 8000 feet. Things dry out Monday as the weekend storm system moves east. Winds E-SE 5-10 mph on Saturday, N-NW at 5-10 mph on Sunday and Monday. && .FGZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flood Watch until 5 PM MST this afternoon for AZZ008-037. && $$ PUBLIC...JJ AVIATION...Humphreys FIRE WEATHER...Bernhart For Northern Arizona weather information visit weather.gov/flagstaff