Flash Flood and Winter Storm in Arizona, January 20 to 23, 2010

Name: Flash Flood and Winter Storm in Arizona, January 20 to 23, 2010
Start: 2010-01-20T21:00
End: 2010-01-23T11:00
Location: Arizona

January 20 to 23, 2010 · NWS FGZ · 26 events in 19 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 19 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 1
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $1.5 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 26

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 FGZ wrote it up.

A very strong jet stream moving across the Pacific brought abundant moisture and significant precipitation to northern Arizona on January 21th. The snow level started out around 3400 feet with significant snow above 5000 feet. The jet stream buckled during the day on the 21st and brought much warmer air to the area. This raised the snow level to almost 8000 feet for several hours. A strong cold front then moved across the and brought the snow level crashing to near 4000 feet. The cold front also brought high winds to the area. This storm caused power outages, flooding, evacuations, mudslides, collapsed roofs, and wind damage.

The higher elevations received between 4 and 8 feet of snow from all three storms. Lower elevations along the south slopes of the Mogollon Rim and mountains of Gila and Yavapai County received up to 12 inches of rain from all three storms. Snowfall and rainfall records were shattered. The combination of heavy rain and melting snow caused flooding problems in the lower elevations. Deep snow and mud stranded many people and livestock across the Hopi and Navajo Nations.

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 Flagstaff, AZ wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jan 20, 8:50 PM MST, 10 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jan 20, 8:50 PM MST, 10 minutes before

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The radar

The Flagstaff radar (KFSX), 150 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 00:01 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

17 winter storm, 4 heavy rain, 2 flood, 2 high wind, 1 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Storm, Kaibab Plateau

When: January 20, 9:00 PM MST to January 23, 8:00 AM MST
Where: Kaibab Plateau forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 35.839, -111.770 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Jacob Lake reported at least 24 inches of new snow.

Winter Storm, Grand Canyon Country

When: January 20, 10:00 PM MST to January 23, 8:00 AM MST
Where: Grand Canyon Country forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 35.839, -111.770 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

At least 31 inches of snow fell at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Winter Storm, Coconino Plateau

When: January 20, 10:00 PM MST to January 23, 8:00 AM MST
Where: Coconino Plateau forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 35.839, -111.770 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Ash Fork reported at least 9 inches of new snow.

Winter Storm, Western Mogollon Rim

When: January 20, 10:00 PM MST to January 23, 9:00 AM MST
Where: Western Mogollon Rim forecast zone
Property damage: $1.0 million
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 35.839, -111.770 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Between 28 and 38 inches of snow fell across the Flagstaff area. The snow turned to rain for between 4 and 6 hours when about 3/4 of an inch of rain fell. Other locations closer to the edge of the Mogollon Rim received close to 60 inches of snow. Elevations above 8000 feet had all snow...between 40 and 80 inches (at 10,800 feet). At least four businesses had their roofs collapse due to the weight of the snow and rain soaked snow. A very large tree blew down on two homes in Williams.

Winter Storm, Eastern Mogollon Rim

When: January 20, 10:00 PM MST to January 23, 9:00 AM MST
Where: Eastern Mogollon Rim forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 35.620, -111.045 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Between 36 and 48 inches of snow fell across the Eastern Mogollon Rim. The roof of a fire station and a water office collapsed in Pinetop-Lakeside.

Winter Storm, Marble Canyon and Glen Canyon

When: January 21, 12:00 AM MST to January 23, 8:00 AM MST
Where: Marble Canyon and Glen Canyon forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 35.839, -111.770 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

At 3.2 inches of snow fell in Page.

Winter Storm, Yavapai County Mountains

When: January 21, 12:00 AM MST to January 23, 6:00 AM MST
Where: Yavapai County Mountains forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 34.600, -112.554 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Prescott received at least 11 inches of snow.

Winter Storm, Chuska Mountains and Defiance Plateau

When: January 21, 12:00 AM MST to January 23, 10:00 AM MST
Where: Chuska Mountains and Defiance Plateau forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 35.396, -109.489 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

At least 12 to 14 inches of snow fell over the Chuska Mountains and Defiance Plateau.

Winter Storm, White Mountains

When: January 21, 12:00 AM MST to January 23, 11:00 AM MST
Where: White Mountains forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 35.398, -109.905 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Between 40 and 60 inches of snow fell across the White Mountains over a three day period. Greer had 50 inches of snow and Alpine had 48 inches.

Winter Storm, Northern Gila County

When: January 21, 12:00 AM MST to January 23, 9:00 AM MST
Where: Northern Gila County forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 33.800, -110.812 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Payson received at least 7 inches of snow and Pine received at least 25 inches of snow.

Winter Storm, Yavapai County Valleys and Basins

When: January 21, 12:00 AM MST to January 23, 6:00 AM MST
Where: Yavapai County Valleys and Basins forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 34.600, -112.554 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Between 4 and 8 inches of snow fell below 5000 feet in Yavapai Country.

Winter Storm, Oak Creek and Sycamore Canyons

When: January 21, 12:00 AM MST to January 23, 6:00 AM MST
Where: Oak Creek and Sycamore Canyons forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 35.220, -112.162 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Five to 20 inches of snow fell across Oak Creek and Sycamore Canyon. A section of Highway 89 through Oak Creek Canyon gave way due to the rain and snow soaked dirt.

Winter Storm, Black Mesa Area

When: January 21, 12:00 AM MST to January 23, 10:00 AM MST
Where: Black Mesa Area forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 35.545, -110.527 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Up to 36 inches of snow fell across the higher elevations of Black Mesa.

Winter Storm, Northeast Plateaus and Mesas South of Highway 264

When: January 21, 12:00 AM MST to January 23, 9:00 AM MST
Where: Northeast Plateaus and Mesas South of Highway 264 forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 35.545, -110.527 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Kykotsmovi had 12 inches of snow.

Flood, Gila

When: January 21, 5:00 PM MST to January 22, 5:00 PM MST
Where: Gila County, 2.44 mi ESE of Gisela to 4.66 mi SE of Punkin Center
Cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 34.108, -111.240

Heavy rain and melting snow caused flooding along Tonto Creek in Gisela south to Tonto Basin. The heavy rain caused a mud slide that temporarily closed Highway 87.

Heavy Rain, Yavapai

When: January 21, 5:00 PM MST to January 22, 5:00 PM MST
Where: Yavapai County, 0.57 mi E of Castle Hot Spgs to 3.42 mi SSW of Rock Spgs
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 33.980, -112.360

A strong winter storm dropped 3.55 inches of rain in 24 hours.

High Wind, Yavapai County Mountains

When: January 21, 6:00 PM MST to 9:00 PM MST
Where: Yavapai County Mountains forecast zone
Measured: 76 kt (87 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 34.600, -112.554 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Prescott Airport reported a peak wind gust of 67 MPH. The Humbug RAWS reported a peak wind gust of 76 MPH.

High Wind, Yavapai County Valleys and Basins

When: January 21, 6:00 PM MST to 9:00 PM MST
Where: Yavapai County Valleys and Basins forecast zone
Measured: 69 kt (79 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 34.600, -112.554 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The RAWS station at Stanton measured a peak wind gust of 69 MPH and the RAWS at Goodwin Mesa reported a peak wind gust of 62 MPH.

Heavy Rain, Yavapai

When: January 21, 8:00 PM MST to January 22, 8:00 PM MST
Where: Yavapai County, 2.39 mi ENE of Bumble Bee to 14.4 mi E of Bumble Bee
Reported by: Park/Forest Service
Coordinates: 34.210, -112.110

A strong winter storm produced 6.57 inches of precipitation in 24 hours at the Sunset Point RAWS.

Heavy Rain, Yavapai

When: January 21, 8:00 PM MST to January 22, 8:00 PM MST
Where: Yavapai County, 3.34 mi E of Date to 19.71 mi E of Rock Spgs
Reported by: Park/Forest Service
Coordinates: 34.339, -112.863

A strong winter storm produced between 4 and 6.50 inches of precipitation in 24 hours across southern Yavapai County.

Winter Storm, Little Colorado River Valley in Coconino County

When: January 21, 8:00 PM MST to January 23, 8:00 AM MST
Where: Little Colorado River Valley in Coconino County forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 35.620, -111.045 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Two to four inches of snow fell across the Little Colorado River Valley in Coconino Country.

Winter Storm, Little Colorado River Valley in Navajo County

When: January 21, 8:00 PM MST to January 23, 8:00 AM MST
Where: Little Colorado River Valley in Navajo County forecast zone
Reported by: Storm Chaser
Coordinates: 35.400, -110.321 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Four to six inches of snow fell across the Little Colorado River Valley in Navajo County.

Winter Storm, Little Colorado River Valley in Apache County

When: January 21, 8:00 PM MST to January 23, 10:00 AM MST
Where: Little Colorado River Valley in Apache County forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 35.396, -109.489 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Six to nine inches of snow fell across the Little Colorado River in Apache Country. Springerville received 15 inches of snow.

Heavy Rain, Gila

When: January 21, 8:20 PM MST to January 22, 8:20 PM MST
Where: Gila County, 10.22 mi NNE of Young to 15.99 mi SW of Strawberry
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 34.239, -110.891

A strong winter storm produced 4.01 inches of precipitation in 24 hours. Rainfall over a three day period ranged from 6 to 10 inches across Gila Country.

Flash Flood, Yavapai

When: January 21, 8:30 PM MST to 9:30 PM MST
Where: Yavapai County, 4.85 mi E of Cordes to 6.5 mi NE of Mayer
Cause: Heavy Rain
Deaths: 0 direct, 1 indirect
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 34.313, -112.087

A family of four partially crossed the bed of the Agua Fria River in a truck (SUV) when flash flooding occurred. They became stuck in the flood waters. A swift water rescue was in possible and a helicopter could not be dispatched due to the weather conditions. The 6 year old boy was subsequently swept downstream and drown.

Flood, Yavapai

When: January 21, 9:30 PM MST to January 22, 9:30 PM MST
Where: Yavapai County, 4.33 mi E of Bumble Bee to 3.78 mi WNW of Bumble Bee
Cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: $500,000
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 34.188, -112.076

Heavy rain and melting snow caused major flooding in Black Canyon City. Evacuations orders were issued for communities along the Agua Fria River and Black Canyon Creek. One trailer park had damage to all 50 trailers.

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

Event	Date	Age	Sex	Where	Kind
Flash Flood, Yavapai	2010-01-21	6	Male	Vehicle/Towed Trailer	Indirect

What these are

Winter Storm: A storm that brought snow, sleet or freezing rain at warning levels, usually over several hours or days.
Flood: Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.
Heavy Rain: Rainfall totals unusual for the place and season that did not produce a flood.
High Wind: Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.
Flash Flood: Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Arizona in 2010 Every state in 2010 This day in weather history Warnings in Arizona, January 2010

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 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 213548, 213557, 213561, 213584, 213585, 213552, 213563, 213564, 213587, 213588, 213590, 213591, 213592, 213593, 213483, 213485, 213594, 213595, 213486, 213487, 213576, 213578, 213582, 213488, 258258, 213484.