Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Flagstaff, AZ
Issued by NWS Flagstaff, AZ
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062 FXUS65 KFGZ 142324 AFDFGZ Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Flagstaff AZ 424 PM MST Fri Nov 14 2025 .SYNOPSIS...Warm temperatures and dry conditions remain for today. An approaching storm system then brings cooler temperatures, gusty winds, and chances for rain and mountain snow over the weekend. Cooler temperatures and unsettled conditions are expected to continue through next week. && .DISCUSSION...Rest of today...One last day of mostly pleasant weather conditions is anticipated as closed low looms off the coast of California. Slightly breezy southwest winds and seasonably warm temperatures are being observed this afternoon. The most recent hi-res guidance is in agreement that today will stay dry across our CWA. Saturday and Sunday...The low pressure system finally begins its transit inland on Saturday, before pushing northeastward on Sunday. South/southwest flow ahead of the approaching cyclone will advect ample moisture into northern AZ, and precipitation will move in from west to east. The first band of precip looks to reach far western Yavapai and Coconino counties by Saturday morning, and slowly spread eastward. A few rounds of showers are expected to move through bringing periodic heavy rainfall, with things generally winding down by Sunday evening. Due to the low center being located to our north, temperatures will stay warm enough to keep virtually all precipitation in the form of rain. Snow levels drop as low as 7500-8500 ft by Sunday evening, but declining precipitation chances will lead to little snowfall near the surface. The best case scenario is a few inches of snow on the highest elevation features like the Kaibab or the San Francisco Peaks. The QPF totals through Sunday evening have trended slightly lower than previous runs. Current values are around 0.50-1.00 inches south of the Rim, but locally higher possible in upslope regions. Gusty winds are also expected as the trough axis passes. The strongest winds are anticipated late Saturday into Sunday evening, with gusts 25 to 35 mph even localized to 40 mph possible. Monday through Wednesday...After the first trough passage, drier conditions set in Monday with just some isolated showers along the high terrain. By Tuesday, northern AZ begins to feel the influence of another low pressure system. Strong southerly/southwesterly flow will bring another moisture surge, and widespread precipitation chances return as early as Tuesday morning. There remains uncertainty the track of the low. Some ensemble members favor the trough to continue digging and follow more of a southern stream while others feature a closed low that propagates more to the north. Regardless, the signal for impactful winter weather remains weak. The LREF probability of 24 hour snowfall exceeding 2 inches remains below 30% Tuesday-Wednesday morning. Utilizing the WPC`s Winter Storm Severity Index, probability of minor impacts remain below 10-20% for most populated areas. Thursday and beyond...Long term ensemble guidance show no sign of an end to this unsettled pattern, with a potential third trough arriving sometime next weekend. This will be discussed in greater detail as we move through these next few events. && .AVIATION...Saturday 15/00Z through Sunday 16/00Z...VFR conditions. SCT -SHRA after 15Z, spreading from west to east. S-SW winds 5-10 kts gusting to 10-20 kts, becoming light or terrain driven after 01Z. S-SW winds 10-20 kts with gusts to 20-25 kts after 16Z. Localized FU due to prescribed burns. OUTLOOK...Sunday 16/00Z through Tuesday 18/00Z...Mainly VFR conditions with MVFR or lower conditions possible in -SHRA/SHRA through 12Z Mon. ISO- SCT -SHRA after 12Z Mon, mainly across the higher terrain. SW winds 15-25 kts gusting 25-35 kts on Sunday, then S-SW 5-15 kts on Monday. && .FIRE WEATHER...Saturday and Sunday...Turning cooler with increasing showers from west to east through the day on Saturday. Widespread rain continues Saturday night with some snow mixing in at times in the higher elevations on Sunday. South to southwest winds 5-15 mph with gusts to 25-30 mph on Saturday, increasing to 10-20 mph with gusts to 30-35 mph on Sunday. Monday through Wednesday...Showers expected on Monday, mainly across the higher terrain, then increasing chances for rain/snow Tuesday and Wednesday. South to southwest winds 5-15 mph each day. && .FGZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...None. && $$ PUBLIC...Lewandowski AVIATION...Meola FIRE WEATHER...Meola For Northern Arizona weather information visit weather.gov/flagstaff