Winter Storm and High Wind in Arizona, January 20 to 21, 2017

Name: Winter Storm and High Wind in Arizona, January 20 to 21, 2017
Start: 2017-01-20T12:00
End: 2017-01-21T12:00
Location: Arizona

January 20 to 21, 2017 · NWS TWC · 8 events in 8 counties and zones

A winter storm impacted southeast Arizona on January 20th and 21st. This storm resulted in very heavy snow across area mountain ranges, especially over 7000 feet in elevation with some locations seeing in excess of 2 feet of snow.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 8 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

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The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $177,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 8

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.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

6 winter storm, 2 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Storm, White Mountains of Graham and Greenlee Counties

When: January 20, 12:00 PM MST to January 21, 12:00 PM MST
Where: White Mountains of Graham and Greenlee Counties forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 33.074, -109.563 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy snow occurred in the higher elevations of Graham and Greenlee Coutnies along with strong winds. The Hannagan Meadow SNOTEL received about 18 inches of snow.

Winter Storm, Galiuro and Pinaleno Mountains

When: January 20, 12:00 PM MST to January 21, 12:00 PM MST
Where: Galiuro and Pinaleno Mountains forecast zone
Reported by: Unknown
Coordinates: 32.572, -110.328 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The higher elevations of the Galiuro and Pianelo mountains received heavy snow and strong winds. Estimates on Mt. Graham are of snow amounts around 2 feet.

Winter Storm, Santa Catalina and Rincon Mountains

When: January 20, 12:00 PM MST to January 21, 12:00 PM MST
Where: Santa Catalina and Rincon Mountains forecast zone
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 32.501, -111.567 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Very heavy snow and strong damaging winds occurred on the Santa Catalina and Rincon Mountains. Numerous trees were toppled over along Catalina Highway near Mt. Lemmon. Additionally, one felled tree damaged a cable line on one of Ski Valley's ski lifts. Power was lost to most of the mountain for nearly 48 hours, and several communication and broadcast transmission towers were inoperable for several hours before backup generators functioned properly. Reports of 18 to 24 inches of snow were common. At lower elevations, rain caused rock slides that blocked portions of Catalina Highway and damaged guard rails.

Winter Storm, Chiricahua Mountains

When: January 20, 12:00 PM MST to January 21, 12:00 PM MST
Where: Chiricahua Mountains forecast zone
Reported by: Unknown
Coordinates: 31.880, -109.751 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy snow and strong winds occurred on the higher elevations of the Chiricahua Mountains.

Winter Storm, Dragoon/Mule/Huachuca and Santa Rita Mountains

When: January 20, 12:00 PM MST to January 21, 12:00 PM MST
Where: Dragoon/Mule/Huachuca and Santa Rita Mountains forecast zone
Reported by: Unknown
Coordinates: 31.834, -110.796 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy snow and strong winds occurred on the higher elevations of the Huachuca and Santa Rita mountains.

Winter Storm, Baboquivari Mountains

When: January 20, 12:00 PM MST to January 21, 12:00 PM MST
Where: Baboquivari Mountains forecast zone
Reported by: Unknown
Coordinates: 32.097, -111.790 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy snow and strong winds occurred on the higher elevations of the Baboquivari Mountains including Kitt Peak.

High Wind, Tucson Metro Area

When: January 21, 12:00 AM MST to 2:00 AM MST
Where: Tucson Metro Area forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $75,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 32.097, -111.790 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Wind damage due to strong winds occurred in the Tucson Metro area. Tree damage constituted the majority of the wind damage, including substantial tree damage at Agua Caliente Park. Additionally, a power pole was blown down in Marana.

High Wind, Upper San Pedro River Valley

When: January 21, 1:00 AM MST to 3:00 AM MST
Where: Upper San Pedro River Valley forecast zone
Measured: 58 kt (67 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 32.109, -110.569 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A recorded gust to 67 MPH occurred at Muleshoe Ranch in Cochise County. A small shed was blown over in Sierra Vista.

What these are

Winter Storm: A storm that brought snow, sleet or freezing rain at warning levels, usually over several hours or days.
High Wind: Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Arizona in 2017 Every state in 2017 This day in weather history Warnings in Arizona, January 2017

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: 666741, 666742, 666743, 666744, 666745, 666746, 666747, 666748.