If you’re sitting in Phoenix right now, sweating through a sweater because it’s still 75 degrees, you’re probably asking the same thing everyone else is: has it snowed in Flagstaff yet? It's the classic Arizona itch. The moment the calendar hits November, we all start looking north toward the San Francisco Peaks, hoping to see that first dusting of white. As of mid-January 2026, the answer is a resounding yes, though the season didn't exactly start with a bang. We had a bit of a late bloomer situation this year. While the first flurries usually tease us in late October, the real "dump" didn't arrive until deeper into the season.
Flagstaff is a fickle beast when it comes to precipitation. You’ve got years where the Snowbowl opens before Thanksgiving, and then you have years like this one, where the ground stayed dusty and brown well into December. It’s all about those Pacific troughs and whether the jet stream decides to play nice with the high desert.
The current snow status in Flagstaff
So, here’s the deal. According to the National Weather Service station at Pullman Airport, Flagstaff has officially recorded several inches of accumulation over the last few weeks. It’s not just "sugar" on the peaks anymore. The city itself has seen a couple of decent systems roll through.
However, don't expect three feet of powder the second you exit I-17. Snow in town melts fast when the Arizona sun comes out—and it almost always does. You’ll see the piles of gray, slushy ice in the Target parking lot, but the scenic, postcard-perfect blankets of snow are currently concentrated at higher elevations. If you want the real deal, you have to head up toward Arizona Snowbowl or the Nordic Village.
The "big" storm of the season so far hit right around the first week of January 2026. It brought about 8 inches to the city center and closer to 14 inches up on the mountain. It was a cold, dry snow—the kind that’s great for skiing but a nightmare for anyone driving a front-wheel-drive sedan without snow tires.
Why the timing matters for your trip
Planning a trip to Flagstaff based on snow is basically a high-stakes gambling move. If you come too early, you’re just hiking in the mud. Come too late, and you’re fighting 50,000 other people for a spot at the sledding hill.
Most people don't realize that Flagstaff’s average first measurable snowfall (meaning 0.1 inches or more) typically lands on November 5th. We missed that mark by a mile this year. The 2025-2026 season stayed dry due to a lingering high-pressure ridge that just wouldn't budge. It felt like autumn lasted forever. But once that ridge broke, the floodgates opened.
Understanding the "Flagstaff Snow" phenomenon
Flagstaff is consistently ranked as one of the snowiest incorporated cities in the United States. That sounds fake when you’re standing in the middle of a desert state, but it’s true. On average, the city gets about 100 inches a year.
💡 You might also like: Why the Nutty Putty Cave Seal is Permanent: What Most People Get Wrong About the John Jones Site
But averages are liars.
Some years, like the record-breaking 1972-73 season, the city got buried under 210 inches. Other years, it’s a struggle to hit 40. This year is shaping up to be a "middle of the road" season, likely fueled by neutral ENSO (El Niño-Southern Oscillation) conditions. We aren't seeing the massive El Niño "pineapple express" storms, but we aren't quite in a La Niña drought either. It's just... normal.
Actually, "normal" in Flagstaff is still pretty intense.
When it snows here, it doesn't just drizzle. It dumps. You can go from a clear blue sky to a whiteout on Milton Road in twenty minutes. That’s the high altitude for you. At 7,000 feet, the atmosphere is thin, the air is dry, and the weather changes its mind faster than a toddler.
The best places to actually see snow right now
If you’re driving up today, don't just wander around downtown expecting a winter wonderland. It might be bone dry on San Francisco Street while the Peaks are getting hammered.
- Arizona Snowbowl: This is the obvious one. Even when the sky isn't falling, they are making snow. They’ve been blowing the fake stuff since late November, and with the recent natural additions, the base is looking solid for January skiing.
- Buffalo Park: My personal favorite. It’s flat, easy, and offers the best view of the mountains. When it snows in town, this is where the locals go to walk their dogs and pretend they live in a snow globe.
- Fort Tuthill County Park: Great for kids and casual snow play. It’s tucked into the pines, so the snow stays shaded and lasts longer than it does in the open fields.
- Flagstaff Nordic Village: If you want to get away from the crowds, head north on Highway 180. It’s usually a few degrees colder up there, and the snow depth is consistently higher than in the city.
Driving tips that will save your life (literally)
Look, I’m going to be blunt: driving from Phoenix to Flagstaff during a snowstorm is a disaster. I’ve seen it a thousand times. People in SUVs think 4WD makes them invincible on ice. It doesn't.
Black ice is a real thing on the I-17. The stretch between Camp Verde and Flagstaff is a massive elevation gain. You can start in rain and end up in a blizzard by the time you hit Munds Park. If the overhead signs say "Snow Chains Required" or "Expect Delays," they aren't kidding.
📖 Related: Atlantic Puffin Fratercula Arctica: Why These Clown-Faced Birds Are Way Tougher Than They Look
Bring a kit. Seriously. Put a heavy blanket, a bag of kitty litter (for traction), a small shovel, and some extra water in your trunk. If the 17 shuts down due to an accident—which happens almost every time it snows—you might be sitting in your car for four hours.
And for the love of everything, clear the snow off the roof of your car before you hit the highway. When that sheet of ice flies off at 65 mph, it becomes a lethal projectile for the person behind you. Don't be that person.
The economics of snow in Northern Arizona
Snow isn't just pretty; it's the lifeblood of Flagstaff’s winter economy. When the question "has it snowed in Flagstaff yet?" starts trending, hotel prices in the West Side and downtown start climbing.
Local businesses like Proper Meats + Provisions or Dark Sky Brewing see a massive uptick in "snow tourists." The city thrives on the weekend warriors who come up to play. But there’s a flip side. The "snow play" issue is a point of contention for locals. Highway 180 often becomes a parking lot because people pull over on the shoulder to sled, which is dangerous and illegal.
If you want to be a "good" tourist, use the designated snow play areas. Don't trespass on private ranch land or park in the middle of a highway. The locals will thank you, and you won't get a ticket from the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office.
What about the rest of the winter?
Predicting weather in late January and February is tough. The current long-range forecasts from the Climate Prediction Center suggest a slightly drier-than-average February for the Southwest. However, "drier than average" in a place that gets 100 inches of snow still means you're going to see some white stuff.
March is actually the wildcard. Often, Flagstaff gets its biggest individual storms in March. It’s that "Miracle March" phenomenon where a massive Pacific low-pressure system gets trapped over the Four Corners and just spins, dumping three feet of heavy, wet snow in 48 hours. If you missed the early season snow, don't lose heart. The season usually lasts until April.
👉 See also: Madison WI to Denver: How to Actually Pull Off the Trip Without Losing Your Mind
Real-world advice for your snow hunt
If you are checking the web for "has it snowed in Flagstaff yet" every morning, stop relying on the general "Flagstaff" weather tag on your iPhone. That sensor is at the airport, which is often warmer and drier than the rest of the city.
Check the Webcams. The City of Flagstaff and the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) have cameras all over the place. Check the camera at Milton and Route 66. Check the Snowbowl base cam. Check the camera at the I-17/I-40 interchange. These give you the "ground truth" that a weather app can't.
How to prepare for your visit:
- Check the ADOT "AZ511" app: This is non-negotiable. It shows real-time road closures and accidents.
- Dress in layers: It might be 25 degrees and snowing at 10:00 AM, but if the sun comes out at noon, it’ll feel like 50. High-altitude sun is intense.
- Hydrate: You are at 7,000 feet. The air is dry. You will get a headache if you don't drink twice the water you think you need.
- Book early: If you see a storm forecast for the weekend, hotels will sell out by Wednesday.
The snow is finally here for the 2026 season. It took its sweet time arriving, but the mountains are white, the air is crisp, and the skiing is underway. Just remember to drive slow, stay warm, and respect the mountain.
Next Steps for Your Trip
To make the most of the current conditions, your first move should be checking the Arizona Snowbowl mountain report for the most accurate base-depth measurements. Following that, download the AZ511 app to monitor road conditions before you even leave your driveway. If you are heading up for a day trip, aim to arrive in Flagstaff before 9:00 AM to secure parking at popular spots like Buffalo Park or the designated sledding areas, as these fill up rapidly once the sun is up. Lastly, verify your vehicle's tire pressure and fluid levels, as the drastic elevation change from the valley to the high plateau can significantly affect your car's performance in freezing temperatures.