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'The first big cold shot of fall': Cooler weather expected across Arizona with snow in Flagstaff
Arizonans will be able to enjoy some cooler weather this weekend and into the following week, but not for long.
According to meteorologists with the National Weather Service, this winter is expected to be warmer and drier than normal.
According to meteorologist Marvin Percha with the National Weather Service in Phoenix, temperatures this weekend will be the lowest Arizona has seen in a while, with highs in the mid-80s and lows dropping as low as 61 on Sunday morning.
The coolest temperatures are projected for Tuesday into Wednesday in metro Phoenix, with highs cooling down to 71 degrees and lows mostly remaining below 50, Percha said.
According to the weather service, some areas across the state could fall within the range of record cool highs on Tuesday, and if Wednesday's highs trend cooler, Phoenix could range into the 1957 cool high record of 72.
The dropping temperatures are caused by an atmospheric disturbance traveling north that shifted the focus "to the first big cold shot of fall," the National Weather Service in Phoenix said in an update on Oct. 2.
Cool temperatures will come with sunny skies and little to no storm chances as dry conditions will prevail this following week, the weather service said.
"Just some breeziness is all that we're expecting," Percha said. "It should be nice weather, really good weather to be outdoors."
He also advised residents to remain aware of the dry conditions and stay hydrated throughout the week.
Snow expected in Flagstaff
Flagstaff should have snow starting Monday night into Tuesday with a high of 40 degrees. Less than 1 inch of snow is expected for regions at 6,500 feet of elevation.
The coldest morning will be Wednesday with expected lows in the 20s.
Flagstaff will also experience gusty winds of up to 45 miles per hour on Monday and Tuesday.
Percha said the main thing to prepare for colder weather is to make sure kids are bundled up while waiting for buses in the morning. People should also check their heating systems this time of year.
Low 20s present a hard freeze in Flagstaff, said meteorologist Megan Taylor with the National Weather Service. She suggested that people protect their gardens and exterior plumbing by disconnecting hoses and draining spigots.
According to Percha and Taylor, the odds are tilted for a winter that's warmer and drier than normal.
"Just because we have a shot of cooler weather here in October doesn't necessarily mean it will be that way all winter," Percha said.
Percha explained that the phenomenon of La Niña, a phase that brings periodic cooling that affects weather patterns around the world, generally favors drier winters in Arizona.
By the end of next week, temperatures should be back up to the mid-80s in Phoenix and 50s in Flagstaff.
Reach breaking news reporter MacKenzie Brower at mackenzie.brower@arizonarepublic.com or on Instagram @_photomac_.
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