PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Transportation is warning Arizona and its visitors to be extra careful when driving in snowy conditions.
Desert dwellers and tourists from out of town may not expect much from Arizona winter but driving in snow is no joke.
Arizona's High County was coated with snow overnight. The National Weather Service in Flagstaff said the Flagstaff Airport had received nearly 15 inches of snow between 7 p.m. Sunday and 5 a.m. Monday.
Another "significant" storm will make its way into the area Thursday into Friday.
If you're driving to Flagstaff from Phoenix to play in the snow, it's important to go through this checklist before you hit the road.
Emergency kit checklist
ADOT says to never drive into snowy, icy or cold conditions without a fully-charged cell phone, drinking water, winter coats and warm blankets. Other items to bring include:
- Gloves, scarves, caps and extra socks
- Necessary prescribed medication(s) and pain relievers
- A first-aid kit
- A flashlight with extra batteries
- An ice scraper
- A small bag of sand (or kitty litter) for wheel traction
- A small folding shovel for snow removal
- A travel tool kit and battery cables
- Safety flares
- Plastic bags or containers for sanitation
- Healthy snacks
- A road map
ADOT also says to make sure your car is in good condition by paying attention to the battery, ignition and exhaust systems, thermostat, defroster, heater and brakes. Snow tires, chains or studded tires are also recommended.
For more information about traveling in snowy conditions, visit ADOT's website.