Valley residents may be saying goodbye to 2010 with rain and even snow! A massive winter storm will move in Wedneday bringing rain, snow and a huge blast of cold air to Arizona. Snow levels will start out around 5000 feet on Wednesday before dropping to 2000 feet by Thursday after the cold front arrives. That means some spots in the foothills surrounding the Valley could see snow including places like Cave Creek, Carefree and New River. Globe could even pick up as much as 6" of snow.

Up north, Winter Storm Watches are now in effect from 7 a.m. Wednesday through 12 noon Thursday above 5000 feet. Right now, we are expecting anywhere from 8-16" of snow above 6000 feet and about 4-10" from 5000 to 6000 feet. That cold front will be bringing some very strong winds (gusts near 40 mph) to Northern Arizona too. So, blowing/drifting snow will make travel in the high country very difficult Wednesday and Thursday. As our skies clear out late Thursday, temperatures will plummet!


Here in the Valley, we could see some hard freezes as lows drop into the 20s early Friday morning. And another freeze with lows in the upper 20s to low 30s is expected as you head out to ring in the new year.