Winter Storm in Arizona, January 12 to 14, 1997

Perhaps the largest snow storm of the decade brought heavy snow to most of northern Arizona. Heavy snow fell from early Sunday morning, the 12th, through last Tuesday night, the 14th. Four deaths from exposure occurred during, or immediately after the storm, on the Navajo Nation Reservation and were directly related to this catastropic winter storm. The Governor of Arizona declared a State of Emergency for Coconino, Gila and Navajo counties on Tuesday the 14th. Following the storm, National Guard trucks and helicopters were needed to evacuate people on the Navajo Nation who required medical attention due to chronic medical problems and who were unable to obtain needed medication. National Guard helicopters also dropped food to people and livestock who were stranded for several days following the storm. Unofficial snow accumulations up to 6 feet were reported along the Mogollon Rim in extreme southeastern Coconino county. Very strong winds created drifts as high as 10 feet at many wind-prone areas across northern Arizona. Numerous trees fell on cars, houses and roads causing power outages and property damage. Hundreds of miles of major highways were closed mainly along the Mogollon Rim and the White Mountains area. Highways surrounding Flagstaff were the most affected. Interstate 40 from Winslow to Ashfork and Interstate 17 from Cordes Junction to Flagstaff were closed from noon Monday, Jan. 13 through 6 AM MST, Wednesday, Jan. 15. Over 200 vehicles were stranded on these two highways.The heavy snow in Flagstaff caused Northern Arizona University to close for the first time in 20 years. Flagstaff public schools were closed for five days. This was the 12th biggest snow storm in Flagstaff's 100 years of weather records. In the Western Mogollon Rim (AZZ015): unofficial snowfall of 38 inches was reported in Flagstaff. Official amounts included 30.8 inches at Bellemont, 26 inches in Doney Park with 5 foot drifts, 25 inches in Sunset Crater and 28 inches at Walnut Canyon. A higher elevations, Hart Prairie received 42 inches and the local ski area reported 51 inches of new snow. Winds as high as 50 MPH caused considerable blowing and drifting snow.In the Eastern Mogollon Rim (AZZ016): between 5 to 6 feet of snow fell according to unofficial reports from Forest Lakes Estates. Official reports included 52 inches at Happy Jack and Lake Mary reported 33 inches of snow. Snow accumulations of 52 inches were reported at Heber and Overgaard, with an unofficial report from the public of 5 feet of snow. In Northern Gila County (AZZ018): the Christopher Creek area in NW Gila county reported 4 feet of snow. Lower elevation stations such as Strawberry reported 2 1/2 feet of snow. Many trees fell due to strong winds and heavy wet snow causing property damage and power outages that lasted 72 hours.In the White Mountains (AZZ017): Greer reported 28 inches of snow while Show Low reported 18 inches. Pinetop received 24 inches with 18 inches accumulating in Lakeside.In the Chuska Mountains/Defiance Plateau (AZZ011): Window Rock reported 18 inches of snow with 5 foot drifts. There were unofficial reports of up to 36 inches on snow in the Black Mesa areas on the Navajo Nation (northern Navajo and Apache counties). A 63 year old man died of exposure 10 miles SE of Chinle.In the Chinle Valley (AZZ010): up to 3 feet of snow was reported unofficially in the higher mesas. One 37 year old male died of exposure near Many Farms.In the Northeast Mesas and Plateaus (AZZ009): unofficial reports of up to 3 feet of snow fell on the higher mesas. A 50 year old man died of exposure 3/4 mile west of Steamboat. A 64 year old infirm man died in his home in Indian Wells when he was unable to start a fire in his wood stove.In the Grand Canyon Country (AZZ006): one foot of snow was reported at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. While in the Kaibab Plateau (AZZ004) there were unofficial reports of up to two feet of snow.