Photos: El Niño storm hits Tucson and Arizona
A series of Winter storms from the Pacific moved over Arizona in early January, leaving 2-3 feet of snow in Flagstaff and steady rain in Tucson.
Mt Lemmon snow
Mia Corona, 14 and David New, 15, hug each other at Windy Point in the Santa Catalina Mountains as the road to Mt Lemmon became open for a short period for drivers with vehicles having four-wheel drive or chains. However, because of overcrowding the mountain was closed later in the afternoon.
Mt Lemmon snow
At the Bear Canyon Campground, Robert Encinas and his wife Keanna document their fun as they begin to slide together down a small incline.
Mt Lemmon snow
Bridget Jendrisak, left, and Michael Vergara come across a water-filled creek while with their dogs, Lily, Lucky, and Sandy near the Bear Canyon Campground as they take advantage of the open the road to Mt Lemmon.
Mt Lemmon snow
A pickup truck filled with snow makes its way down the Santa Catalina Mountains at Windy Point as the weather takes a turn on the road to Mt Lemmon. Earlier in the day the road became open for a short period for drivers with vehicles having four-wheel drive or chains. However, because of overcrowding the mountain was closed later in the afternoon.
Mt Lemmon snow
A male acorn woodpecker pokes around a tree for a meal. The road to Mt Lemmon was open for a short period for drivers with vehicles having four-wheel drive or chains. However, because of overcrowding the mountain was closed later in the afternoon.
Mt Lemmon snow
A long-dead manzanita bush pokes out of the snow near Geology Vista as a vehicle makes its way down the Santa Catalina Mountains. The road to Mt Lemmon was open for a short period for drivers with vehicles having four-wheel drive or chains. However, because of overcrowding the mountain was closed later in the afternoon.
Mt Lemmon snow
Several vehicles make their way down the Santa Catalina Mountain near Geology Vista as the road to Mt Lemmon became open for a short period for drivers with vehicles having four-wheel drive or chains.
Mt Lemmon snow
Snow blankets some of the ridges between the Santa Catalina Mountains, foreground, as well as the Rincon Mountains in the distance at Geology Vista. The road to Mt Lemmon was open for a short period for drivers with vehicles having four-wheel drive or chains.
Mt Lemmon snow
A Raven picks at a pile of snow near Geology Vista in the Catalina Mountains. The road to Mt Lemmon was open on Sunday for a short period for drivers with vehicles having four-wheel drive or chains.
Mt Lemmon snow
Snow capped rocks are visible on the Santa Catalina Mountains while on the road to Mt Lemmon. The road was open for a short period for drivers with vehicles having four-wheel drive or chains.
Mt Lemmon snow
In this long exposure, water cascades down on of the seven cataracts off the road to Mt Lemmon which was open for a short period for drivers with vehicles having four-wheel drive or chains.
Rain and snow in Arizona
The flags over Rural/Metro Fire Department Station #72 fly in the breeze as some rare sunlight hits the snow covered heights of the Santa Catalinas in the wake of days of rain and snow over the area, Friday Jan. 8, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Rain and snow in Arizona
A spotlight of sun hits the eastern parts of the Santa Catalinas even as clouds sock in the surrounding area with days of rain and snow continuing over the area, Friday Jan. 8, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Rain and snow in Arizona
A couple stop to watch the waters of the Auga Caliente Wash pour over Soldier Trail in the wake of days of rain and snow over the area, Friday Jan. 8, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Rain and snow in Arizona
With flooding washes making it difficult to get to her housecleaning rounds, Maria Zazueta stops to get video of the water running over Soldier Trail at the Auga Caliente Wash in the wake of days of rain and snow over the area, Friday Jan. 8, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Rain and snow in Arizona
A puddle reflects a woman walking her dog along the Rillito River Park path as the Rillito River flows with yesterday's runoff near North Campbell Avenue. Photo taken Friday, Jan. 8, 2016. Photo by Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Rain and snow in Tucson
Sunset finally breaks through to light up Pusch Ridge in a red glow as the rains continue into the night, Friday Jan. 8, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Rain and snow in Tucson
Sunset finally breaks through to light up Pusch Ridge in a red glow as the rains continue into the night, Friday Jan. 8, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Rain and snow in Tucson
Sunset goes radioactive red as the rains continue into the night, Friday Jan. 8, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Rain and snow in Arizona
Turbid water flows in the Rillito River as pedestrians and cyclists use the Rillito River Park path near North Campbell Avenue. Photo taken Friday, Jan. 8, 2016. Photo by Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Rain and snow in Arizona
A leaf rests in a puddle of water along the Rillito River Park path as the Rillito River flows with yesterday's runoff near North Campbell Avenue. Photo taken Friday, Jan. 8, 2016. Photo by Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Rain and snow in Arizona
Art Schafer, a winter visitor, admires the flowing water in the Rillito River as he walks along the Rillito River Park path near North Campbell Avenue. Photo taken Friday, Jan. 8, 2016. Photo by Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Rain and snow in Arizona
Turbid water flows in the Rillito River as pedestrians walk along the Rillito River Park path near North Campbell Avenue. Photo taken Friday, Jan. 8, 2016. Photo by Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Rain and snow in Arizona
Jim, right, and Pam Sinclair, winter visitors from Halifax, Englad, admire the flowing water in the Rillito River as they walk along the Rillito River Park path near North Campbell Avenue. Photo taken Friday, Jan. 8, 2016. Photo by Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Rain and snow in Arizona
A pedestrian stops to admire the flowing water in the Rillito River as she pauses from her walk along the Rillito River Park path near North Campbell Avenue. Photo taken Friday, Jan. 8, 2016. Photo by Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Rain and snow in Arizona
Snow came the desert yesterday north of Catalina, AZ. These are scenes photographed along N. Lago del Oro Parkway between Catalina and Saddlebrooke. Photo taken Thursday, January 7, 2016. Photo by Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star.
Rain and snow in Arizona
Snowm came the desert yesterday north of Catalina, AZ. These are scenes photographed along N. Lago del Oro Parkway between Catalina and Saddlebrooke. Photo taken Thursday, January 7, 2016. Photo by Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star.
Rain and snow in Arizona
Snowm came the desert yesterday north of Catalina, AZ. These are scenes photographed along N. Lago del Oro Parkway between Catalina and Saddlebrooke. Photo taken Thursday, January 7, 2016. Photo by Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star.
Rain and snow in Arizona
Snowm came the desert yesterday north of Catalina, AZ. These are scenes photographed along N. Lago del Oro Parkway between Catalina and Saddlebrooke. Photo taken Thursday, January 7, 2016. Photo by Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star.
Rain and snow in Arizona
Low-level clouds creep through the snow-capped ridgelines near Pontatoc Canyon. The third in a line of winter storms this week brought valley rain and mountain snow. Photo taken Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016. Photo by Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Rain and snow in Arizona
A snow-capped ridge peers through the clouds in Pontatoc Canyon. The third in a line of winter storms this week brought valley rain and mountain snow. Photo taken Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016. Photo by Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Rain and snow in Arizona
A man walking down East Pennington appears to be properly bundled against both the wind and the pouring rain in downtown Tucson. Wet weather continues as yet another storm system is expecting to come through the area bringing lots of rain and snow in higher regions. The photo was taken in Tucson, Ariz., on Wednesday, January 7, 2016. A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
Snow and rain
Rush hour traffic and street lights glint off the wet pavement at Speedway and I-10 from the day long rains that saturated southern Arizona, Thursday Jan. 7, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Rain and snow in Arizona
A snow covered strip of the Santa Catalinas peeks between the foothills and the lowering storm clouds during a break in the rain and snow over Tucson, Thursday Jan. 7, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Rain and snow in Arizona
The Tucson skyline in front of the banks of clouds, rain and snow rolling over the Santa Catlaina Mountains on a wet winter afternoon, Thursday Jan. 7, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Rain and snow in Arizona
Snow dusts the foothills of the Catalina Mountains near Pontatoc Canyon as seen from North Columbus Boulevard. The third in a line of winter storms this week brought valley rain and mountain snow. Photo taken Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016. Photo by Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Rain and snow in Arizona
There comes a time when even an umbrella is of little or no use during a strong downpour as a woman rushing by the main library may have discovered in downtown Tucson. Wet weather continues as yet another storm system is expecting to come through the area bringing lots of rain and snow in higher regions. The photo was taken in Tucson, Ariz., on Wednesday, January 7, 2016. A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
Rain and snow in Arizona
Tucson Fire Department personnel help a woman, one of two passengers in the vehicle, and dog out of a car stranded in the flooded intersection of Lee and Santa Rosa, Thursday Jan. 7, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Rain and snow in Arizona
Cathy Burg tries to comfort a dog named Pain while its owner is in the Subway in downtown Tucson getting food. But fear not, Pain was under the awning and covered in a tablecloth to keep it as dry as reasonably possible. Burg was leaving the restaurant and trying to give the dog a little encouragement. Wet weather continues as yet another storm system is expecting to come through the area bringing lots of rain and snow in higher regions. The photo was taken in Tucson, Ariz., on Wednesday, January 7, 2016. A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
Rain and snow in Arizona
Water comes pouring out of a drain and on to the sidewalk near the Fox Theatre as a downpour saturates the area in downtown Tucson. Wet weather continues as yet another storm system is expecting to come through the area bringing lots of rain and snow in higher regions. The photo was taken in Tucson, Ariz., on Wednesday, January 7, 2016. A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
Rain and snow in Arizona
Flagstaff resident Anthony Martinez pushes a motorist out of the snow in Flagstaff, Ariz., Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016. A series of El Nino-related storms dumped heavy snow on the region. (AP Photo/Josh Biggs)
Rain and snow in Arizona
The Dunn brothers, from left, Cutler, 12, Tyson, 15, and McKay, 9, work together to clear a neighbors snow Thursday. The three boys said that they were offering their services to neighbors. When asked how much they charged to clear a driveway Tyson replied, “ Whatever they feel is fair to pay us.”
Rain and snow in Arizona
The Dunn brothers, from left, Cutler, 12, McKay, 9, and Tyson, 15, walk in search of another drive to clear in their neighborhood north of the hospital Thursday.
Rain and snow in Arizona
The Dunn brothers, from left, Cutler, 12, Tyson, 15, and McKay, 9, work together to clear a neighbors snow Thursday morning. The boys spent their snow day Thursday offering to clear neighbors driveways. When asked what they charged Tyson replied, “Whatever they feel is fair to pay us.”
Rain and snow in Arizona
Shonto Begay clears the path in front of his neighbors home Thursday morning as snow continues to fall in Flagstaff. “She’s my clan neice and I want to make sure she doesn’t get stuck.” Begay said of his efforts to clear more than a sixteen inches of snow.
Rain and snow in Arizona
John King walks his dog, Prince, through heavy snow Thursday morning. More than eighteen inches of snow had fallen by mid morning Thursday with up to another 12 inches forecast to fall before the storm moves out on Friday.
Rain and snow in Arizona
Jennifer Corrigan shovels snow in her driveway in Flagstaff, Ariz., Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016. El Nino-fueled storms also brought heavy snow to northern Arizona. (AP Photo/Josh Biggs)
Rain and snow in Arizona
A pedestrian makes their way through historic downtown Flagstaff, Ariz., Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016. A series of El Nino-related storms dumped heavy snow on the region. (AP Photo/Josh Biggs)
Rain and snow in Arizona
Flagstaff resident Jeanie Backer walks through the deep snow for her morning commute in Flagstaff, Ariz., Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016. A series of El Nino-related storms dumped heavy snow on the region. (AP Photo/Josh Biggs)
Rain and snow in Arizona
Andrew Chapman, a Pima County Sheriff's Department assist team member, braves the rainfall as he mans the road closure at the base of Catalina Highway. The third in a line of winter storms this week brought valley rain and mountain snow. Photo taken Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016. Photo by Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Rain and snow in Arizona
Crews with Tucson Water watch huddle under an unbrella as the weather worsens near the excavation of a 12-inch water main break on East Escalante Road, just east of Kolb. Westbound traffic is restricted. Photo taken Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016. Photo by Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Rain and snow in Arizona
A woman almost gets caught between a car and a wall of water from another vehicle coming down West Simpson Street in downtown Tucson. Wet weather continues as yet another storm system is expecting to come through the area bringing lots of rain and snow in higher regions. The photo was taken in Tucson, Ariz., on Wednesday, January 7, 2016. A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona weather
Journee Martinez, 17, left, and her sister Ivory, 22, close their eyes as they burst through a snowbank Wednesday afternoon while sledding at the end of Lone Tree Road. A heavy winter storm blanketed Flagstaff overnight leading to the closure of area schools. A second storm is forecast to drop up to another fourteen inches of snow Wednesday night into Thursday.
Arizona weather
Melinda Bishop takes her daughter Mariana, 5, for a sled ride Wednesday morning on Cedar Ave. Area schools were closed for a snow day Wednesday. Another storm is forecast to blanket the area Wednesday evening.
Arizona weather
Tanner Reid, left, laughs Wednesday afternoon as he throws a snowball at a friend during a snowball fight in nearly 12 inches of fresh powder snow. Up to another fourteen inches of snow are forecast to fall on Flagstaff by Thursday evening.
Arizona weather
Tracie Honyumptewa struggles to stay in her sled as she hits a bump in deep pwder snow Wednesday.
Arizona weather
Bicycles are covered in snow on the Northern Arizona University campus in Flagstaff, Ariz., Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016. A series of El Nino-related storms dumped heavy snow on the region. (AP Photo/Felicia Fonseca)
Arizona weather
Pedro Rodriguez shovels snow outside the Coconino County courthouse in Flagstaff, Ariz., Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016. A series of El Nino-related storms dumped heavy snow on the region. (AP Photo/Felicia Fonseca)
Arizona weather
Pearl Garner, 12, plays in the snow outside her home in Flagstaff, Ariz.,, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016. A series of El Nino-related storms dumped heavy snow across the region. (AP Photo/Felicia Fonseca)
Arizona weather
Pearl Garner, left, watches as Marilyn Anderson, right, shovels snow from the sidewalk outside their homes, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016 in Flagstaff, Ariz. A series of El Nino-related storms dumped heavy snow on the region. (AP Photo/Felicia Fonseca)
Arizona weather
The drive of a Porsche sports car wisely decides to turn around as they enounter a closure on Tanque Verde Loop at the flowing Tanque Verde Creek. Overnight rains brought valley rainfall and mountain snow. A third weather front is expected on Thursday. Photo taken Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016. Photo by Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona weather
Glenn Rosati, a resident of the area, films a video of the running Tanque Verde Creek at the Tanque Verde Loop crossing to show his mother-in-law who remarked she had never seen the wash flowing like that. Overnight rains brought valley rainfall and mountain snow. A third weather front is expected on Thursday. Photo taken Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016. Photo by Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona weather
The driver of a Ford pickup truck pays no mind to the closure signs as they forge a path through the Tanque Verde Creek crossing at Tanque Verde Loop. Overnight rains brought valley rainfall and mountain snow. A third weather front is expected on Thursday. Photo taken Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016. Photo by Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona weather
Breaks in the low cloud cover reveal overnight snowfall accumulated on the eastern portion of the Catalina Mountains as seen from Speedway and Tanque Verde Loop. Overnight rains brought valley rainfall and mountain snow. A third weather front is expected on Thursday. Photo taken Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016. Photo by Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona weather
The Tanque Verde Creek flows with fresh runoff at Tanque Verde Loop. Overnight rains brought valley rainfall and mountain snow. A third weather front is expected on Thursday. Photo taken Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016. Photo by Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona weather
Breaks in the low cloud cover reveal overnight snowfall accumulated on the eastern portion of the Catalina Mountains as seen from Speedway and Tanque Verde Loop. Overnight rains brought valley rainfall and mountain snow. A third weather front is expected on Thursday. Photo taken Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016. Photo by Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona weather
A low cloud caresses Thimble Peak as it drifts along the front range of the Santa Catalina Mountains as another weather system moves through the area bringing rain to the lower elevations and snow in the higher regions. The photo was taken in Tucson, Ariz., on Wednesday, January 6, 2016. A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona weather
Couds break apart as the morning sun touches Thimble Peak and the front range of the Santa Catalina Mountains as another weather system moves through the area bringing rain to the lower elevations and snow in the higher regions. The photo was taken in Tucson, Ariz., on Wednesday, January 6, 2016. A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
Storm-related incidents span the city.
Temps to warm up into the low-60s next week.
People wanting to jump in some Mount Lemmon snow this afternoon might have to save it for another day.
Time-lapse video of the setting sun and clouds over the snowy peaks of the Santa Catalina Mountains.