TUCSON, Ariz. — Snow in the Old Pueblo? We might be due for it this New Year's Eve.
A winter weather advisory will go into effect in the Tucson Metro from 3 a.m. to 10 a.m. on New Year's Day, with up to 2 inches of snow possible. The advisory comes as a storm from the Pacific moves over southern Arizona, combined with our unusually cold temperatures in the Old Pueblo. That could mean flakes falling and snow sticking to the ground.
Winter Weather Advisories have been posted for the Tucson metro area for early tomorrow morning. The Advisory area includes Green Valley, Vail, Oro Valley & Marana. Snow levels will drop to around 2,500' overnight & produce up to 2" of snow... pic.twitter.com/Tzh91RcfGo
— Cuyler Diggs (@CDiggsKGUNWX) December 31, 2018
The last time that happened? Exactly four years ago -- on early New Year's morning in 2014, with as much as 2 inches in some parts of Tucson.
The mountains, meanwhile, will see a major dump of snow -- 9 to 13 inches above 5,000 feet and as much as 20 inches above 7,000 feet in the Catalinas, the Rincon Mountains and further north. A winter storm warning is in effect for those areas.
Our next Pacific storm is moving into southeastern Arizona tonight and will bring more heavy snow to the high country. Winter Storm Warnings are in effect for the mountains of eastern & southeastern AZ until 5 PM tomorrow. Use extreme caution driving! pic.twitter.com/4sEW8HVVXz
— Cuyler Diggs (@CDiggsKGUNWX) December 31, 2018
The overnight precipitation means temperatures will get even colder the next day. The National Weather Service has also issued a freeze warning for much of southern Arizona Tuesday night all the way up into Phoenix, with overnight lows as frigid as 20 degrees expected.
After this next wave of rain/snow clears the area Tuesday night, freezing temperatures will become a concern. Hard Freeze Warnings are already in effect for Tue PM into Wed AM & Wed PM into Thurs AM. Overnight lows as low as 20° are expected... pic.twitter.com/eumlyfGW4A
— Cuyler Diggs (@CDiggsKGUNWX) December 31, 2018
The snow means residents should take precaution, and remember the "4 P's" for a freeze: People, Pets, Pipes and Plants. Make sure all of them are safe -- bring your pets inside overnight, cover your plants to protect from frost, keep your pipes insulated to protect from freezing or bursting and bundle up. It's going to be a cold New Year's morning.
