Desert Deluge and Mountain Snow: Arizona Weekend Rainfall
When Phoenix logs its first measurable Halloween rainfall since 1987, the weather pattern isn’t following the usual script. Across Arizona, a weekend storm system dumped rain across desert valleys and blanketed high-elevation resorts in powder, triggering emergency flood responses and widespread road closures.
According to data compiled by ABC15 meteorologist Jorge Torres, rainfall totals from 8 a.m. Friday through Sunday varied across Maricopa County. Scottsdale led the regional totals with 4.25 inches, followed by Wittmann at 3.43 inches, Cave Creek at 2.83 inches, and Apache Junction at 2.09 inches. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport recorded 0.92 inches.
High-Altitude Snowfall Recharges Northern Arizona
While urban commuters contended with flooded intersections and pooled water on asphalt, the state’s northern peaks welcomed a different kind of precipitation. Up at the Arizona Snowbowl in Flagstaff, Saturday’s storm dropped 3 inches of fresh snow. Tornado Titans reported that the Arizona Snowbowl 5.1 E station recorded 4.89 inches of rain, the highest total across 92 reports in the state.
This weekend’s accumulation follows an earlier storm on Oct. 25 that dumped 6 inches, bringing the resort’s early season total to roughly 13 inches ahead of its scheduled opening day on Nov. 20.
Torrential Downpours Trigger Swift Water Rescues Across Arizona
The transition to torrential downpours pushed emergency infrastructure to its limits in southern and northern Arizona. Pima County reported localized rain totals ranging from 1.5 to 3.5 inches in the Tucson metro and upwards of 6 inches in the mountain regions.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Office reported responding to 16 river rescues as creeks swelled past their banks. Officials directed residents monitoring local flood conditions to (520) 351-3351 for information on closures.
As of 3 pm today, we’ve responded to 16 river rescues in Pima County. Several roads remain closed. Too many to list. Check latest closures here: (520) 351-3351. pic.twitter.com/exVqU25MNZ
Further north, authorities issued immediate evacuation orders for vulnerable parts of Yavapai, Coconino, Gila, and Pinal counties. The volume of water rendered several major transit corridors impassable. Closures included:
- State Route 89A between Sedona and Kachina Village (mileposts 375-397)
- State Route 73 between Indian Pine and White River (mileposts 357-351)
- State Route 238 between Maricopa and Gila Bend
- State Route 77 closed in Snowflake at State Route 277 (milepost 361)
- State Route 288 between mileposts 271-302
- State Route 179 in Sedona (milepost 313)
- Business Route 40 in Flagstaff (milepost 196)
As skies slowly begin to clear and emergency crews assess infrastructure damage, the state shifts from active rescue operations to mop-up mode, leaving winter sports enthusiasts eyeing the growing snowpack on the peaks.
