Snow in April! Actually, it isn’t rare for snow in April in Flagstaff. In fact, it is more likely that there is snow in April than no snow. Over the course of record for Flagstaff (1898–2025), there has been measurable snow in 107 of those years. Only 21 years had no snow or only a Trace of snow.
The snowfall this April, however, has been well above average. To date, there has been 13.5″ of snow (average for the entire month is 7.3″), falling in two events: April 2–3 (4.3″) and April 18–19 (9.0″).
This is good news as we had a dry winter. Our snow season total (July 1–present) stands at 60.3″ compared to an average of 87.6″. It is unlikely that we will catch up to normal as the chances for significant snow decrease rapidly going forward. However, this late influx of moisture (both March and April) has been good in bringing the fire danger down to LOW across the Coconino and Kaibab National Forests.
Here are some photographs from both of these events.
Layers of clouds are draped across the San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff, Arizona, in the wake of a winter storm (04 April 2025).The rising sun illuminates clouds draped across Mormon Mountain in northern Arizona in the wake of a winter storm (04 April 2025).
Time-lapse video of clouds over the San Francisco Peaks and Mormon Mountain in northern Arizona.
Streamers of fog and low clouds move below the red rocks of Sedona, Arizona (19 April 2025).Streamers of fog and low clouds move below the red rocks of Sedona, Arizona (19 April 2025).Fog and low clouds move below the red rocks of Sedona, Arizona (19 April 2025).Fog and low clouds drape across the red rock spires of Sedona, Arizona (19 April 2025).The rising Sun illuminates mist and fog swirling around the red rocks of the Munds Mountain Wilderness (19 April 2025).Mist and fog swirls around the red rock cliffs and is reflected in a small pool in Munds Mountain Wilderness (19 April 2025).The setup for the previous photograph.Dewdrops adorn this small lupine in Sedona (19 April 2025).Snow adorns the blossoms of this flowering fruit tree in Flagstaff (19 April 2025).Snow on a flowering forsythia bush in Flagstaff (18 April 2025).Snow on a flowering crab apple tree (18 April 2025).Snow and daffodil, Flagstaff (18 April 2025).Snow in the upper reaches of Oak Creek Canyon with the switchbacks of SR-89A below.
As noted elsewhere on these pages this winter has been very dry and warm. That changed in March as a series of storms moved across the southwest. By the time it was over we had accumulated 2.47″ of SWE (snow water equivalent) and 35.6″ of snow. It was greatly appreciated because we are now heading into our dry and windy season (“wildfire season”) and anything that helps to moisten the landscape is appreciated.
Here is a collection of photographs taken during this extended period of snow.
08 March 2025
Clouds cap the San Francisco Peaks just before sunrise (08 March 2025).Cross country skiing at Fort Tuthill Park in Flagstaff (08 March 2025).Grasses poke through the snow at Fort Tuthill Park (08 March 2025).
14 March 2025
Low clouds race across the Mormon Lake area (14 March 2025).Snow covers the tables and benches at a picnic area at Upper Lake Mary near Flagstaff, Arizona (14 March 2025).
15 March 2025
The clouds departed but winds increased resulting in plumes of blowing snow over the San Francisco Peaks (15 March 2025).
Then it got warm and everything melted. But the forecast indicates that snow is likely this week so time to get some more photographs.
The sunrise after a winter storm often results in beautiful scenery and colors. Low-lying areas may have shallow fog. Mountains may have multiple layers of clouds. All of this is enhanced by the low sun angle as it first rises above the horizon.
Low clouds and fog partially obscure the San Francisco Peaks as the sun rises (24 Jan 2024).
On the other hand, getting up before sunrise, driving on snow-packed roads, and standing around shooting photos with cold temperatures is a challenge. But the results are often worth the effort. Here are a few sunrise photographs.
Wispy clouds cap the San Francisco Peaks (08 Jan 2024).First light on some old ranching structures near Mormon Lake (08 Jan 2024).Earth’s shadow can be seen behind the San Francisco Peaks in this pre-sunrise image (26 Jan 2024).Telephoto image of snow and clouds on the San Francisco Peaks (26 Jan 2024).Layers of clouds are draped across Mingus Mountain (03 Feb 2024).
This week should bring lots of snow to northern Arizona. I hope to get some interesting photographs.
This has been an exceptional winter for snowfall. Currently, we are in the top 10 for all-time snowfall amounts and we still have a month (or more) to go. This much snow brings a lot of work clearing the driveway, sidewalks, and even the roof.
But there is an upside and we get to ski. An earlier post showed a day spent on the San Francisco Peaks. There are also some nice trails and small hills closer to our home and we have found ourselves skiing this gentle terrain several times this winter.
Heading out of Fort Tuthill County Park.Outside the boundaries of the park are a few small hills that allow us to get in some downhill runs on our skis.We just go up and down a bunch of times.But first we have to dig ourselves out and clear the driveway. Note that the road is not yet cleared.Sidewalk tunnels.This chart shows that we are having an “Extreme Winter” in Flagstaff.
This chart shows that we are having an “Extreme Winter” in Flagstaff.
Fortunately, we are experiencing a break in the winter storm pattern and the warm temperatures are melting the snow. But it will take time.
There was plenty of snow in January and some events produced snow at lower elevations — including Wupatki National Monument. So I found myself at the monument in time for sunrise one morning. There was less snow that I hoped to see but still enough to add some drama to the ancient pueblos in the park.
Sunrise at Wukoki Pueblo in Wupatki National Monument.Wukoki Pueblo with the San Francisco Peaks in the distance.
After leaving Wukoki Pueblo I went to Lomaki Pueblo.
Lomaki Pueblo in Wupatki National Monument.Lomaki Pueblo in Wupatki National Monument with the San Francisco Peaks in the distance.
