Parts of Arizona are experiencing a wintry snowstorm this week

Some parts of Arizona are expecting snow this week as a winter-like storm drops temperatures up to 20 degrees below normal for this time of year.

Meteorologists with the National Weather Service (NWS) reported the approaching storm system Wednesday morning, although no winter weather warnings were officially issued. Some uncertainties still remain, but forecasters are confident a cold weather system will bring widespread showers across northern Arizona, with snow levels dropping Friday, leading to dangerous travel conditions Friday and Saturday.

“Get ready to get out your sweaters and jackets! By Friday, temperatures will fall 10 to 20 degrees below normal, with many locations seeing highs of around 40 to 50 degrees. However, warmer weather is expected to return next week,” the NWS Flagstaff office posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Another post said: “The first winter-like storm will hit northern Arizona late this week and into the weekend. Much colder temperatures, gusty winds and rain/snow at high altitudes are expected.”

NWS meteorologist Paige Konieczny recounted Newsweek that snowfall will remain primarily above 7,000 feet, with larger snowfall amounts expected in areas above 8,000 feet.

“It’s pretty typical for this time of year,” she said. “We’re heading into the winter season, so it’s not entirely unusual for it to snow here in mid-October.”

However, the temperature fluctuations will feel “dramatic,” Konieczny said, as the region has experienced above-average temperatures in recent weeks.

“But these temperatures appear to be rather short-lived once the storm system leaves the area,” she said.

Temperatures should return to normal next week.

Counties expected to experience snowfall include Coconino, Apache, Navajo and northern Gila. Heavy snowfall will continue in mountainous areas, with up to 1.5 inches of snowfall expected in more populated areas.

“The areas with higher (snow) levels are mountain peaks,” Konieczny said, adding that up to 10 inches of snow is expected at higher elevations.

Because this is likely the first snowfall of the season, Konieczny said there are travel concerns. In addition, the wind will be strong.

The forecast for Arizona comes as other parts of the U.S. expect cold temperatures and, in the case of Montana, heavy snow. There were frost warnings and freeze warnings in place across much of the central and midwestern United States earlier this week, with some warnings also in place on the East Coast.

“Cooler temperatures, rain and light snow are forecast for the Midwest and parts of the eastern U.S. early this week as a cold front moves through,” the NWS said.

As of Wednesday morning, some freeze warnings and freeze warnings remained in effect in some states, including Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina, as well as some parts of the eastern United States