Blizzard and Winter Storm in Arizona, December 7 to 8, 2009

Name: Blizzard and Winter Storm in Arizona, December 7 to 8, 2009
Start: 2009-12-07T14:00
End: 2009-12-08T10:00
Location: Arizona

December 7 to 8, 2009 · NWS TWC · 10 events in 6 counties and zones

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $1.2 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 10

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS TWC wrote it up.

An intense winter storm passed through Arizona during the evening hours of December 7th and during the early morning hours of December 8th. Heavy snowfall and very strong winds combined to produce winter storm conditions in the mountains of southeast Arizona, with blizzard conditions occurring at times. A particularly strong pressure gradient south of this storm produced a significant nighttime high wind event across much of southeast Arizona, with many reports of damage.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Tucson, AZ wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Dec 7, 9:45 AM MST, 4 hours 15 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Dec 7, 9:45 AM MST, 4 hours 15 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TUCSON AZ
945 AM PM MST MON DEC 7 2009

.SYNOPSIS...A STRONG WINTER STORM SYSTEM WILL APPROACH THE AREA FROM
THE NORTHWEST TODAY. THIS SYSTEM WILL BRING WIDESPREAD VALLEY RAIN
AND SIGNIFICANT MOUNTAIN SNOW TO SOUTHEAST ARIZONA TONIGHT INTO
MIDDAY TUESDAY. DRIER CONDITIONS WEDNESDAY FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER
CHANCE OF VALLEY RAIN AND MOUNTAIN SNOW THURSDAY INTO FRIDAY.

&&

.DISCUSSION...KEMX WSR-88D DETECTED ISOLATED 25-35 DBZ ECHOES MOVING
NEWD ACROSS WRN/CENTRAL PIMA COUNTY AND SE PINAL COUNTY AT 1615Z.
THE REST OF SE AZ WAS VOID OF PRECIP ECHOES. CONSIDERABLE CLOUDINESS
ACROSS SE AZ THIS MORNING AND IR SATELLITE IMAGERY INDICATED CLOUD
TOPS TO BE WARMING DURING THE PAST 1-2 HOURS. DEWPOINTS VALID 16Z
WERE GENERALLY IN THE 30S AND THESE TEMPS WERE NEARLY 10-20 DEGS
HIGHER VERSUS 24 HOURS AGO. SURFACE TEMPS VALID 16Z WERE ABOUT 5-15
DEGS WARMER VERSUS THIS TIME SUN MORNING. 07/12Z KTWC SOUNDING ALSO
REFLECTED INCREASED MOISTURE MAINLY ABOVE 500 MB VERSUS 24 HOURS
AGO...AND TOTAL PRECIP WATER WAS NEAR 0.60 INCH. STRONG WLY FLOW
PREVAILED ABOVE 700 MB.

INHERITED FORECASTS INDICATE CHANCE-CATEGORY POPS WHITE MOUNTAINS
THIS MORNING...AS WELL AS A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS ACROSS FAR WRN
PIMA/SE PINAL COUNTIES. WILL ADJUST FURTHER EWD TO REFLECT CURRENT
RADAR ECHOES.

OTHERWISE...WRN CONUS TROUGH TO CONTINUE TO DEEPEN TODAY. MOISTURE
WILL CONTINUE TO INCREASE ACROSS THE AREA TODAY TO SUPPORT A CHANCE
OF VALLEY RAIN AND MOUNTAIN SNOW MAINLY NORTH AND WEST OF TUCSON
THIS AFTERNOON WITH LOW-GRADE POPS TUCSON METRO SEWD.

07/00Z GFS/ECMWF REMAINED IN GOOD AGREEMENT AND CONTINUED TO DEPICT
DEEPER-LAYER MOISTURE ACROSS SE AZ TONIGHT-TUE MORNING. THIS PERIOD
IS COINCIDENT WITH SYNOPTIC-SCALE FORCING AS PER 700-300 MB NEGATIVE
DIV-Q AND OMEGA FIELDS. STRONG JET DYNAMICS WILL ALSO SUPPORT
POTENTIALLY SIGNIFICANT PRECIP EVENING. FOR INSTANCE...06/00Z GFS
PROGGED 160 KT 250 MB JET MAX OVER THE AREA TONIGHT.

THE UPSHOT...BLIZZARD WARNING IS IN EFFECT LATE THIS AFTERNOON-
MIDDAY TUE ABOVE 8K FT ZONES 19/30 AS WELL AS WINTER STORM WARNING
BETWEEN 6-8K FT. ALSO...WINTER STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT SAME
PERIOD FOR ABOVE 6K FT FOR ZONES 33-35...TUCSON METRO AREA SEWD.
AND...WIND ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR AREAS EAST AND SOUTH OF TUCSON
FROM 11 PM MST TONIGHT-NOON TUE. MAY EXPAND THE AREA WWD TO INCLUDE
TUCSON /ZONE 33/ UPON FULL RECEIPT OF 07/12Z GFS.

PRECIP SHOULD TAPER FROM WEST-EAST TUE AFTERNOON AS DEEPER MOISTURE
IS SHUNTED WELL NEWD. EXPECTED TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS BY WED
MORNING...UP TO 18 INCHES IN THE WHITES...12-14 INCHES IN THE
PINALENOS...UP TO A FOOT IN THE CATALINA/RINCONS...AND UP TO 10
INCHES IN THE MOUNTAINS OF COCHISE/SANTA CRUZ COUNTIES. LIQUID
AMOUNTS PERHAPS AS MUCH AS ONE INCH NORTH OF TUCSON...OTHERWISE
QPF/S TO BE GENERALLY LESS THAN ONE HALF OF AN INCH.

SHORTWAVE RIDGE ALONG THE CALIFORNIA COAST WED WILL FLATTEN AND MOVE
EWD ACROSS THE AREA WED NIGHT. DRY CONDITIONS WED THOUGH RIDGE TO BE
FAIRLY DIRTY WITH MID AND HIGH-LEVEL MOISTURE TO MOVE ACROSS THE
AREA. THEREAFTER...A SERIES OF DISTURBANCES PROGGED TO MOVE MAINLY
ACROSS THE GREAT BASIN REGION THUR INTO THE WEEKEND. ENOUGH MOISTURE
TO SUPPORT A SLIGHT CHANCE OF VALLEY RAIN AND MOUNTAIN SNOW SHOWERS
PARTICULARLY FROM TUCSON EWD.

COOLER TODAY THEN QUITE COOL TUE. WARMER WED WITH HIGH TEMPS THUR-
SUN TRENDING EITHER CLOSE TO NORMAL OR A FEW DEGS BELOW NORMAL.

&&

.AVIATION...CLOUD DECKS AROUND 8-10K FT AGL TODAY THOUGH NORTHWEST
OF KTUS CLOUD DECKS AROUND 4-7K FT AGL WITH SCT -SHRA. SURFACE WINDS
SLY 10-20 KTS WITH GUSTS OF 20-28 KTS. DURING THE 00Z-18Z PERIOD
TUESDAY...WIDESPREAD MVFR CONDITIONS DUE TO SHRA/HIGHER TERRAIN
SHSN. SURFACE WINDS SWLY/WLY 15-30 KTS WITH GUSTS OF 30-45 KTS.
CONDITIONS IMPROVING WITH DECREASING CLOUDS/PRECIP AND LESS WIND
DURING THE 18Z-23Z PERIOD TUESDAY. AVIATION DISCUSSION NOT UPDATED
FOR TAF AMENDMENTS.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...A STRONG STORM SYSTEM WILL APPROACH SOUTHEAST
ARIZONA FROM THE NORTHWEST TODAY. THIS SYSTEM WILL BRING WIDESPREAD
VALLEY RAIN AND MOUNTAIN SNOW ESPECIALLY TONIGHT THROUGH MIDDAY
TUESDAY. BREEZY TO WINDY CONDITIONS WILL ALSO ACCOMPANY THIS SYSTEM.
DRIER CONDITIONS WILL OCCUR WEDNESDAY. ENOUGH MOISTURE FOR A CHANCE
OF RAIN AND MOUNTAIN SNOW THURSDAY INTO SATURDAY AS A SERIES OF
DISTURBANCES MOVE ACROSS THE AREA. BREEZY TO OCCASIONALLY WINDY
CONDITIONS MAY ALSO ACCOMPANY THESE SYSTEMS.

&&

.TWC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
  BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM TODAY TO 12 NOON MST TUESDAY
   ABOVE 8000 FEET FOR AZZ019-030.

  WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM MST TODAY TO 12 NOON MST
   TUESDAY BETWEEN 6000 AND 8000 FEET FOR ZONES 019-030

  WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM MST TODAY TO 12 NOON MST
   TUESDAY ABOVE 6000 FEET FOR ZONES 033>035.

  WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM MST TONIGHT TO 12 NOON MST
   TUESDAY FOR ZONES 019-030-034>035.

WEATHER.GOV/TUCSON

Hazardous weather outlook, Dec 7, 11:45 AM MST, 2 hours 15 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TUCSON AZ
1145 AM MST MON DEC 7 2009

AZZ019-030-081200-
NORTHERN GREENLEE COUNTY-UPPER GILA RIVER VALLEY-
1145 AM MST MON DEC 7 2009

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHEAST
ARIZONA.

...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO NOON MST
TUESDAY ABOVE 8000 FEET...
...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO NOON
MST TUESDAY BETWEEN 6000 AND 8000 FEET...
...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM THIS EVENING TO NOON MST
TUESDAY BELOW 8000 FEET...

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT

A STRONG WINTER STORM SYSTEM CENTERED OVER NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
THIS MORNING WILL TRACK EAST THROUGH THE GREAT BASIN TONIGHT. A
STRONG FRONT ALONG THE SOUTHERN EDGE OF THIS SYSTEM WILL TRACK
THROUGH SOUTHEAST ARIZONA LATE THIS EVENING INTO TUESDAY MORNING.
THIS FEATURE WILL RESULT IN STRONG GUSTY WINDS...WIDESPREAD
VALLEY RAIN AND SIGNIFICANT MOUNTAIN SNOW IN SOUTHEAST ARIZONA
MONDAY NIGHT INTO TUESDAY. SIGNIFICANT SNOWFALL IS EXPECTED ABOVE
6000 FEET. THE STRONG AND GUSTY SOUTH TO SOUTHWEST WINDS WILL
RESULT IN BLIZZARD LIKE CONDITIONS IN FALLING/BLOWING SNOW WITH
VISIBILITIES BEING REDUCED TO LESS THAN A QUARTER MILE AT
TIMES...ESPECIALLY ABOVE 8000 FEET. TRAVEL CONDITIONS WILL BE
EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS. SOME ROADS MAY BECOME IMPASSABLE...ESPECIALLY
DUE TO DRIFTING OF SNOW AND SIGNIFICANT ACCUMULATION BY TUESDAY
MORNING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY

DRIER CONDITIONS WILL OCCUR WEDNESDAY FOLLOWED BY THE NEXT CHANCE
OF VALLEY RAIN AND MOUNTAIN SNOW SHOWERS THURSDAY INTO FRIDAY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

AZZ033>035-081200-
TUCSON METRO/MARANA/GREEN VALLEY-SANTA CRUZ COUNTY-COCHISE COUNTY-
1145 AM MST MON DEC 7 2009

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHEAST
ARIZONA.

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM MST THIS AFTERNOON TO
NOON TUESDAY ABOVE 6000 FEET...
...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM THIS EVENING TO NOON MST
TUESDAY...

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT

A STRONG WINTER STORM SYSTEM CENTERED OVER NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
THIS MORNING WILL TRACK EAST THROUGH THE GREAT BASIN TONIGHT. A
STRONG FRONT ALONG THE SOUTHERN EDGE OF THIS SYSTEM WILL TRACK
THROUGH SOUTHEAST ARIZONA LATE THIS EVENING INTO TUESDAY MORNING.
THIS FEATURE WILL RESULT IN STRONG GUSTY WINDS...WIDESPREAD
VALLEY RAIN AND SIGNIFICANT MOUNTAIN SNOW IN SOUTHEAST ARIZONA
MONDAY NIGHT INTO TUESDAY. SIGNIFICANT SNOWFALL IS EXPECTED ABOVE
6000 FEET. THE STRONG AND GUSTY SOUTH TO SOUTHWEST WINDS WILL
RESULT IN AREAS OF BLOWING SNOW...REDUCING VISIBILITIES BELOW A
QUARTER MILE AT TIMES. TRAVEL CONDITIONS WILL BE EXTREMELY
HAZARDOUS. SOME ROADS MAY BECOME IMPASSABLE...ESPECIALLY DUE TO
DRIFTING OF SNOW AND SIGNIFICANT ACCUMULATION BY TUESDAY MORNING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY

DRIER CONDITIONS WILL OCCUR WEDNESDAY FOLLOWED BY THE NEXT CHANCE
OF VALLEY RAIN AND MOUNTAIN SNOW SHOWERS THURSDAY INTO FRIDAY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

AZZ029-031-032-081200-
SOUTHEAST PINAL COUNTY-WESTERN PIMA COUNTY-TOHONO OODHAM NATION-
1145 AM MST MON DEC 7 2009

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTH CENTRAL
ARIZONA.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT

 STRONG WINTER STORM SYSTEM CENTERED OVER NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
THIS MORNING WILL TRACK EAST THROUGH THE GREAT BASIN TONIGHT. A
STRONG FRONT ALONG THE SOUTHERN EDGE OF THIS SYSTEM WILL TRACK
THROUGH SOUTHEAST ARIZONA LATE THIS EVENING INTO TUESDAY MORNING.
THIS FEATURE WILL RESULT IN STRONG GUSTY WINDS AND WIDESPREAD
RAINFALL.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY

DRIER CONDITIONS WILL OCCUR WEDNESDAY FOLLOWED BY THE NEXT CHANCE
OF SHOWERS THURSDAY INTO FRIDAY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

WEATHER.GOV/TUCSON

Event by event

4 high wind, 3 winter storm, 2 blizzard, 1 strong wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Storm, Northern Greenlee

When: December 7, 2:00 PM MST to December 8, 10:00 AM MST
Where: Northern Greenlee forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL

Heavy snow occurred at Hannagan Meadow with over 20 inches during this storm.

Blizzard, Northern Greenlee

When: December 7, 3:00 PM MST to December 8, 6:00 AM MST
Where: Northern Greenlee forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer

Blizzard conditions occurred at the highest elevations in Northern Greenlee County with very strong winds and limited visibility. Over 20 inches of snow fell.

Blizzard, Upper Gila River Valley

When: December 7, 4:00 PM MST to December 8, 7:00 AM MST
Where: Upper Gila River Valley forecast zone
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Blizzard conditions occurred on Mt. Graham with strong winds gusting over 85 mph, near zero visibility and about 18 inches of snow.

Winter Storm, Upper Gila River Valley

When: December 7, 4:00 PM MST to December 8, 10:00 AM MST
Where: Upper Gila River Valley forecast zone
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

About 18 inches of snow occurred on Mt. Graham above 9000 feet.

Winter Storm, Tucson Metro/Marana/Green Valley

When: December 7, 6:00 PM MST to December 8, 9:00 AM MST
Where: Tucson Metro/Marana/Green Valley forecast zone
Reported by: County Official

About a foot of snow fell on Mt. Lemmon in the Santa Catalina Mountains.

High Wind, Cochise County

When: December 7, 9:00 PM MST to December 8, 4:00 AM MST
Where: Cochise County forecast zone
Measured: 62 kt (71 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $1.0 million
Reported by: ASOS

Widespread damaging winds occurred across Cochise County during the overnight hours. Law enforcement reported winds blew out windows of some businesses in Sierra Vista. Wind gusts near 70 mph blew portions of a roof off a warehouse in Sierra Vista, with the debris striking nearby power lines and causing power disruptions. Roof damage was also reported at a motel in Sierra Vista, with about half of the roof removed. Debris from the roof landed in a nearby parking lot, damaging several cars. High winds damaged a large sign at a restaurant, with numerous traffic signs receiving damage throughout the Sierra Vista area. Several reports of fallen trees and broken limbs were received, and at least four people in Sierra Vista reported falling trees causing damage to their vehicles. Strong winds caused damage to numerous power poles and power lines in Sierra Vista and surrounding Cochise County, resulting in power outages for thousands of homes and businesses. Many other power poles were damaged by the strong winds near Bowie, San Simon, and Willcox. The ASOS at Fort Huachuca measured a wind gust of 71 mph at 12:38 AM MST.

High Wind, Santa Cruz County

When: December 7, 9:00 PM MST to December 8, 4:00 AM MST
Where: Santa Cruz County forecast zone
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter measured a wind gust of 70 mph three miles northeast of Canelo at 3:10 AM MST. Strong winds caused damage to numerous power poles and lines in Santa Cruz County, causing power outages to thousands of residents in the Sonoita, Elgin and Patagonia areas. A rancher near Sonoita reported 2 barn roofs were blown off by the high winds.

High Wind, Tucson Metro/Marana/Green Valley

When: December 7, 9:00 PM MST to December 8, 4:00 AM MST
Where: Tucson Metro/Marana/Green Valley forecast zone
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Strong winds gusted to near 70 mph across portions of eastern Pima County during the overnight hours, causing damage in several areas. Portions of a roof blew off a residence on West Rama Drive in Green Valley, with the debris hitting several nearby mobile homes. Winds downed several trees in the Green Valley and Sahuarita areas. |High winds also removed a roof from another residence in southwest Tucson, near the intersection of Cardinal Avenue and Valencia Road. Strong winds also downed hundreds of trees on Mt. Lemmon, near Summerhaven. Many of these trees damaged power lines as they fell, with dozens of homes and businesses spending several days without power.

High Wind, Tohono Oodham Nation

When: December 8, 12:00 AM MST to 2:00 AM MST
Where: Tohono Oodham Nation forecast zone
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $30,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager

High winds caused extensive damage to a manufactured home in Lower Covered Wells. The roof was completely torn off the home, with damage to the walls as well. Insulation was left in nearby tree branches. Another roof was blown off a single wide manufactured home 2 miles northwest of Topawa. No injuries were reported from either home.

Strong Wind, Upper Gila River Valley

When: December 8, 12:00 AM MST to 4:00 AM MST
Where: Upper Gila River Valley forecast zone
Measured: 48 kt (55 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $4,000
Reported by: Newspaper

Strong winds uprooted a large dead tree near the intersection of First Avenue and Highway 191 in Safford during the early morning hours. The tree toppled onto an unoccupied residence, causing some roof damage to the home.

What these are

Winter Storm: A storm that brought snow, sleet or freezing rain at warning levels, usually over several hours or days.
Blizzard: Sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 mph or more with falling or blowing snow that cuts visibility below a quarter mile for three hours or longer.
High Wind: Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.
Strong Wind: Non-thunderstorm winds below high wind criteria that nonetheless caused damage or casualties.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Arizona in 2009 Every state in 2009 This day in weather history Warnings in Arizona, December 2009

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 198766, 198763, 198764, 198769, 198765, 199005, 199012, 199042, 199199, 201680.