PHOENIX — It has been downright chilly in Arizona the last few weeks, leaving those in northern Arizona reaching for their parkas and shovels.
Those of us in Phoenix have also felt the chill (though we've only put on windbreakers to this point).
A winter storm later this week is expected to bring more snow to Northern Arizona -- rain in the Valley -- and colder temperatures throughout the state.
We asked 12 News meteorologist Lindsay Riley what's been going on with Arizona's weather. She said it's all due to El Niño.
During El Niño, the sub-tropical jet stream moves further south into Arizona, bringing with it low pressure.
Sky Harbor has seen 1.2 inches of rain since Jan. 1, which is below average but still considered active.
The cold and wet weather is likely to stay through March before breaking up in April as we move into spring.
As for that storm hitting the state later this week, the Valley can expect between 0.75 and 1.25 inches of rain. It's still too early to say how much snow that'll mean in the High Country, but you can expect well more than a foot in some of the highest areas.