Heavy Snow in Arizona, December 17 to 18, 2002

A strong storm system moved down along the Pacific coast and caused significant snow amounts within a 24 hour period on the 17th and 18th in the White Mountains and Mt Graham. Scattered showers developed early on the morning of the 17th, with reports of snow level initially at 7000 to 8000 feet. By the afternoon on the 17th, convective bands developed and moved over central and southern portions of Arizona. Although Graham and Northern Greenlee counties were impacted significantly by the heavy snow, other locations across southeast Arizona also received snow reports. Mt Lemmon reported 8 inches of snow and Santa Rita, Chiricahua, and Huachuca Mountains received 4 to 6 inches of snow. Cooperative stations like Sierra Vista, Bisbee, and Tombstone that are located around 4000 feet recorded a trace of snow.