Snow arrives in Flagstaff to the joy of residents, visitors
The Brief
Snow has finally arrived in the High Country following a pretty dry winter season so far in Arizona.
Residents and visitors say this is the exact weather they've been wishing for.
At the Arizona Snowbowl, it had to make its own snow for a bit, but said this is the time of year when major snow usually begins.
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - The snow up north is a welcome sight for businesses who rely on those seeking a winter getaway.
What we know
OpenSnow is predicting up to 9 inches of fresh snow through Thursday.
On Monday morning, those in the High Country had a lot to celebrate.
What they're saying
"When I walked out and saw the snow, I was pretty excited."
Snowflakes blanketed downtown Flagstaff, delighting visitors, like Julie, who came to Flagstaff from Michigan to ski for her 80th birthday.
"It's wonderful," she said. "I mean that's what you want here in Flagstaff for the winter."
Even dogs like Teddy the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel are bundled up.
"Yes he is. I made sure. I was going to see if I could get him some boots or something, but I never made it that far."
Throughout the morning and afternoon on Jan. 27, snow fell across northern areas like Prescott, Sedona and Flagstaff.
A sight that many were longing to see.
"If it doesn't snow again, it will be disappointing. So we are hoping this continues. I see that it is probably going to continue in the next couple of days."
It's been a dry winter in the High Country, so far.
Why you should care
For many areas, this is the first snow accumulation since early November. So far this season, Flagstaff's airport has only picked up 2.8 inches.
Compare that to the 27 inches picked up this time last year, and 46.6 inches average for this date.
"I'm happy. I know some folks on the mountain have been wishing for some snow."
Wishes granted.
"We live for this, so we are super excited about it," said Josh Heydorn, risk and safety manager at Arizona Snowbowl.
While the Snowbowl has been able to make its own snow so far this season, there's nothing like fresh power.
With 100% of its lifts now open, he's hoping for momentum for the rest of the season, too.
"Historically, we receive the majority of our snow this time of the year, anyways. From now to April, so I think it's here to stay," Heydorn said.
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