PHOENIX — Winter officially begins on Thursday, Dec. 21, and on cue, a winter storm will rain down across the Southwest. In addition, Arizona’s High Country should see a White Christmas with fresh snow on the ground above 6000 feet!
It’s the first major rain event connected to a strong El Nino weather pattern expected through February 2024. In fact, this will be the biggest rainstorm since Hurricane Hilary brought nearly 6 inches of rain to Southern California. If you are traveling west, be ready for heavy and steady rain Thursday through Friday night. Expect slick roads, and the possibility of roads being blocked by rocks and debris.
The storm will push inland from Friday to Saturday with enough moisture to survive the trek over the mountains and into our desert. While drought conditions remain widespread in Arizona and New Mexico, according to the United States Drought Monitor, some steady rainfall is welcomed.
Phoenix has received only 0.45 inches of rain since Sept. 1, compared to a historical average of 2.10 inches for the approximate three-and-a-half-month period. The Phoenix area could pick up an inch of rain from the storm spanning Thursday night to Saturday.
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