Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Flagstaff, AZ
Issued by NWS Flagstaff, AZ
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984 FXUS65 KFGZ 181728 AFDFGZ Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Flagstaff AZ 1028 AM MST Tue Nov 18 2025 .SYNOPSIS...Cold and wet conditions will dominate the next few days, with more unsettled weather possible over the weekend. Rain looks to be the main precipitation type, but high elevation snow will sneak in by mid-week. && .DISCUSSION...The southwest flow aloft from the low pressure system centered across the central California Coast is ushering in enough moisture to promote isolated to scattered showers overnight tonight. Most of the activity is concentrated along and south of I-40 as of 1 AM MST, but we`ll continue to see increased coverage in showers/thunderstorms through the next 24 to 48 hours as this disturbance progresses towards Arizona. At least through Wednesday morning, greatest chances for precipitation will be along and west of a Page-Flagstaff-Show Low line. WPC has emphasized parts of Yavapai County now through 5 AM MST Wednesday by drawing a slight risk for excessive rainfall. This location of our CWA is forecast to receive rainfall amounts between 0.5-2" over the next 24 hours. Localized higher amounts are also not out of the question with training storms and orographic influences. We also can`t completely rule out a few embedded thunderstorms with decent instability and shear across Yavapai County and northern Gila County this afternoon. You`re probably more curious about the potential for snowfall over the next few days, but I wouldn`t be super excited if I were you. This system continues to trend warmer as it moves towards Arizona, leaving measurable snow primarily for areas above 7000` starting on Wednesday. Even so, our forecast suggests minimal impacts with snow amounts between 0.5-1.5" for more populated areas (Flagstaff, Williams, Happy Jack, Forest Lakes) between Wednesday morning and Thursday morning. For less populated areas above 8000` (Kaibab Plateau, San Francisco Peaks, and the White Mountains), 3 to 10" is possible now through Thursday afternoon. This low pressure will exit the region by Friday, but model guidance suggests another closed low sliding in quickly behind. However, guidance suggests this system taking a much more southern track along the AZ/Mexico border. As a result, precipitation chances are minimal through the weekend but daytime highs will remain below normal. && .AVIATION...Tuesday 18/18Z through Wednesday 19/18Z...MVFR-LIFR conditions west of AZ-87 corridor with numerous rain showers throughout the time period. KFLG could see some snow mix in after 12Z Wednesday morning with snow levels dropping to 7000-7500 feet. VFR- MVFR conditions east of AZ-87 corridor, a few showers are possible, but most of the activity will be further west. Winds S-SW 10-15kts, gusts to 20kts rest of the day period, light and variable overnight. OUTLOOK...Wednesday 19/18Z through Friday 21/18Z...Conditions could range from VFR all the way down to IFR over the next few days as scattered showers continue throughout the period, becoming more isolated by Friday morning. Snow levels start at 7000-7500ft, lowering to 6000-6500ft by Friday morning. Winds S-SW 5-10kts daytime, light and variable or terrain driven overnight. && .FIRE WEATHER...Today through Wednesday...Scattered to widespread showers expected today through Wednesday with the snow level lowering to 7500 feet by Wednesday morning. Winds south at 10-15 mph with gusts as high as 25 mph both days. Thursday through Saturday...The chance for showers continues, mainly in the form of snow above 6500-7500 feet. Winds southwest at 5-15 mph Thursday, becoming east to southeast at 5-10 mph on Friday and Saturday. && .FGZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...None. && $$ PUBLIC...Konieczny AVIATION...Bernhart FIRE WEATHER...McCollum For Northern Arizona weather information visit weather.gov/flagstaff