Arizona Snowstorm Paralyzes Interstate 40, Dumps Over 2 Feet of Snow/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A powerful winter storm battered northern Arizona on Friday, dumping over two feet of snow in some areas and bringing traffic on Interstate 40 to a standstill. The storm caused a 15-mile backup near Flagstaff and Williams, worsened by a two-vehicle crash. While no fatalities were reported, authorities struggled to clear the highway as snow piled up rapidly. The storm, the largest of the season so far, is expected to move east by Saturday, but not before leaving dangerous road conditions and icy highways in its wake.
Arizona Winter Storm: Quick Look
- Traffic Nightmare
- 15-mile gridlock on I-40 westbound between Flagstaff and Williams.
- Semitrucks and cars stranded for hours as roads became impassable.
- Severe Snowfall
- Williams buried under two feet (60 cm) of snow.
- Flagstaff and Munds Park received over a foot (30 cm).
- Accidents and Road Closures
- Two-vehicle crash worsened the backup on I-40.
- I-17 between Flagstaff and Phoenix temporarily closed due to hazardous conditions.
- Multiple slide-offs and stranded vehicles reported along U.S. 89 north of Flagstaff.
- Storm Impact & Outlook
- Flagstaff still below seasonal precipitation levels despite snowfall.
- Arizona Snowbowl ski resort expects an ‘epic’ weekend.
- The storm is expected to exit Arizona by Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.
Arizona Snowstorm Paralyzes Interstate 40, Dumps Over 2 Feet of Snow
Deep Look: Heavy Snowstorm Freezes Northern Arizona
I-40 Gridlocked for Hours Amid Heavy Snow
Drivers on Interstate 40 westbound between Flagstaff and Williams were caught in a 15-mile traffic jam, as Friday’s powerful snowstorm brought travel to a halt.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) confirmed that a two-vehicle crash contributed to the massive backup, but the real problem was the relentless snowfall, which made road clearing nearly impossible.
“We could not clear it quick enough to get traffic moving again because of the adverse snow conditions,” said DPS spokesperson Bart Graves.
While one injury was reported, authorities said there were no storm-related fatalities.
Drivers Stuck, Making the Best of It
As traffic remained stalled for hours, some drivers stepped out of their vehicles to pass the time.
- One driver started throwing snowballs to lighten the mood.
- Others worked together to tow a stuck vehicle out of deep snow using a four-wheel-drive truck.
Despite the frustration, many remained patient as road crews worked to restore movement.
Record Snowfall Hits Williams & Flagstaff
The storm was the biggest of the season for northern Arizona, dumping:
- More than two feet (60 cm) of snow in Williams.
- Over a foot (30 cm) in Flagstaff and Munds Park.
- Several inches in lower elevations across the state.
Even with the snowfall, Flagstaff and other Arizona cities remain below normal precipitation levels for the season due to an unusually dry winter.
Arizona Snowbowl Anticipates ‘Epic’ Ski Weekend
“This weekend is bound to be epic,” the resort posted on X (formerly Twitter).
With fresh powder on the slopes, ski enthusiasts are flocking to the area for prime conditions.
Storm Shuts Down Multiple Highways
In addition to gridlock on I-40, the storm forced closures on other major highways:
- Interstate 17 (I-17): Temporarily shut down between Flagstaff and Phoenix due to hazardous conditions.
- U.S. Highway 89: Slowed to a crawl with multiple vehicles sliding off icy roads.
Authorities urged drivers to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary.
Storm Moving Out by Saturday
The National Weather Service (NWS) predicts the storm will shift eastward by Saturday, bringing an end to the heavy snowfall in Arizona.
However, cold temperatures and icy conditions are expected to persist, keeping travel risks high into the weekend.
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