Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Flagstaff, AZ
Issued by NWS Flagstaff, AZ
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070 FXUS65 KFGZ 141705 AFDFGZ Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Flagstaff AZ 1005 AM 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...Today...Heights begin to fall today ahead of an approaching closed- low off the California coast. As a result, a dip in temperatures is expected along with slightly breezier winds. Dry conditions look to prevail for the vast majority of the area, however a brief shower or two can not be totally ruled out across western Arizona to near the Kaibab Plateau. Saturday and Sunday...The aforementioned low looks to ejected off the Pacific on Saturday, driving moisture northward into Arizona. As a result, an area of precipitation is expected to develop from west to east late Saturday and continue into much of Sunday. A weak band of frontogenetic forcing looks to move through northern Arizona early on Sunday, which should help to promote a brief period of moderate to heavy precipitation across the region. As such, the bulk of the precipitation looks to occur during this time frame. QPF amounts for this event seem to be fairly consistent over the last several model runs (maybe just slightly lower). The current think still keeps the bulk of the precipitation along and south of the Mogollon Rim and into portions of western Arizona. For these areas, around 0.50-1.25" of liquid are expected, with some locally higher amounts in the typical upslope areas along the Rim. To the north and east, amount fall off to mainly 0.10-0.30" with the highest amounts more focused in the upslope areas near Black Mesa and Chuska Mountains. Virtually all of the precipitation for this storm looks to fall as rain. With the track of the low center well to the north, we remain within the warm air for nearly the entire event. As a result, snow levels look to remain above 8000-8500 feet through at least mid-day Sunday. Some wet snow flakes may mix in with the higher terrain near 7000 feet late Sunday, however the moisture pool looks to be fairly shallow at this point and well below the DGZ. As a result, little to no snow accumulations are expected for much of the region. The best shot at seeing any snow looks to mainly be the upper portions of the Kaibab Plateau, San Francisco Peaks, and the White Mountains. Gusty south/southwest winds are also expected ahead of the low primarily late Saturday into the first-half of Sunday. Gusts upwards of 25-35 mph look probable over much of the higher terrain, with some locally gustier locations possible. Monday through Thursday...Showers remain on Monday in the wake of the departing low. However, coverage looks to be greatly reduced, and primarily focused over the higher terrain. This reprieve is short-lived however, with another closed-low developing over California late Monday and then ejecting off the Pacific on Tuesday. Guidance looks to be in slightly better agreement on the track of the low with the latest runs, however they are still far from alignment. The operational runs of the GFS and CMC both favor the low tracking further south near Baja, while the ECMWF looks to take the system further north through Nevada and into Utah. Thus, confidence in any potential impacts with this secondary system still remain low at this time. Current trends though would suggest more rain than snow once again, as much of the guidance has continued to come in warmer. Nevertheless, a breezy, cool, and unsettled pattern looks to remain through much of next week. && .AVIATION...Friday 14/18Z through Saturday 15/18Z...VFR conditions. S-SW winds 5-10 kts gusting to 10-20 kts, becoming light or terrain driven after 01Z. Localized FU due to prescribed burns. OUTLOOK...Saturday 15/18Z through Monday 17/18Z...VFR conditions through 00Z-03Z Sunday, then -SHRA/SHRA spreading west to east through 12Z Mon. ISO-SCT -SHRA after 12Z Mon, mainly across the higher terrain. MVFR conditions or lower possible in heavier showers. S-SW winds 10-20 kts gusting to 20-30 kts on Saturday, then SW winds 15-25 kts gusting 25-35 kts on Sunday. && .FIRE WEATHER...Today and Saturday...Turning cooler. Dry conditions for today, with showers then increasing from west to east through the day on Saturday. South winds 5-10 mph today, increasing to 5-15 mph on Saturday. Minimum afternoon RH 20-30% today, increasing to 25- 45% on Saturday. Sunday through Tuesday...Widespread rain with some snow mixing in at times in the higher elevations on Sunday. Chances for precipitation continue through the period, with the next best shot on Tuesday. Winds south/southwest 10-20 mph on Sunday, subsiding to 5-15 mph for Monday and Tuesday. && .FGZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...None. && $$ PUBLIC...Humphreys AVIATION...Meola FIRE WEATHER...Humphreys For Northern Arizona weather information visit weather.gov/flagstaff