PHOENIX — While we often talk about big-time snow events in northern Arizona, snow accumulation in the Valley of the Sun this time of year might occur more often than you think.
As more people continue to move to the Phoenix area, snowfall reports in parts of the Valley are becoming more common. Typically, snowfall reports come from higher elevation locations, like the foothills north of the Valley.
However, measurable snowfall in the city of Phoenix is still pretty rare.
The greatest snowfall ever recorded at the official reporting site in Phoenix was an inch on Jan. 20, 1933, and Jan. 21-22, 1937. Up to 4 inches of snow was reported in other parts of what is today known as the Phoenix metro area.
Snow stuck around for days after the event in shady areas.
The most recent significant snow event was on Dec. 6, 1998. Snow fell below 2,000 feet in the northwest half of the Valley. Minor accumulation was reported. Sky Harbor Airport recorded 0.22" of precipitation that day, with only a trace of snow.
Trace amounts of snow have been recorded several times. Other notable times measurable snowfall was recorded include:
- 0.5" on Feb. 2, 1939
- 0.4" on Dec. 21-22, 1990
- 0.2" on March 12, 1917
- 0.1" on Nov. 28, 1919
- 0.1" on Dec. 11, 1985
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