Photos: Snow around Tucson and Southern Arizona
The New Year opened with snow in the higher elevations around Tucson, including Vail, Sonoita, Corona de Tucson and Nogales/Rio Rico.Â
Snow in Southern Arizona
"It's the first time we've seen snow the desert," says Mayra Vasquez who brought Valeria Luzania, 11, and MarcoDario Luzania, 8, to Saguaro National Park East on January 02, 2019. The kids built a snowman and the trio took a selfie with their creation. Parts of the Old Pueblo woke up to snow on New Year's Day, followed by more snow Wednesday morning.
Snow in Southern Arizona
The Empire Mountains emerge from cloud cover after the second round of winter storms brought snowfall to the surrounding metro Tucson area and southeast Arizona, Jan. 2, 2019, south of Vail, Ariz.
Snow in Southern Arizona
Snow covers the desert landscape at Saguaro National Park East on January 02, 2019. Tucsonans woke up to snow on New Year's Day, followed by more snow Wednesday morning.
Snow in Southern Arizona
Snow-covered newspaper slots at junction along Arizona State Route 83 after the second round of winter storms brought snowfall to the surrounding metro Tucson area and southeast Arizona, Jan. 2, 2019, south of Vail, Ariz.
Snow in Santa Cruz County
Snow covered airplanes ay Nogales International Airoprt sit idle Wednesday morning following a snow blanket that covered much of Santa Cruz County Tuesday night. The Tiffin Aviation flight school closed for the day granting the students an extra day off after the holiday break. Photo by Terry Ketron
Snow in southeast Arizona
Cattle graze in the snowfall east of Sonoita after the second round of winter storms brought snowfall to the surrounding metro Tucson area and southeast Arizona, Jan. 2, 2019, in Sonoita, Ariz.
Snow in southeast Arizona
Drives negotiate a snowy stretch of Arizona State Route 83 north of Sonoita after the second round of winter storms brought snowfall to the surrounding metro Tucson area and southeast Arizona, Jan. 2, 2019, south of Vail, Ariz.
Snow in Southern Arizona
A small snowman is perched on top of a cactus at Saguaro National Park East on January 02, 2019. Tucsonans woke up to snow on New Year's Day, followed by more snow Wednesday morning.
Snow in southeast Arizona
Snow blankets the desert flora in Vail after the second round of winter storms brought snowfall to the surrounding metro Tucson area and southeast Arizona, Jan. 2, 2019, in Vail, Ariz.
Snow in Southern Arizona
Needles peek out of the snow that covers a cactus at Saguaro National Park East on January 02, 2019. Tucsonans woke up to snow on New Year's Day, followed by more snow Wednesday morning.
Snow in southeast Arizona
The Empire Mountains emerge from cloud cover as snow covers the hills east of Arizona State Route 83 after the second round of winter storms brought snowfall to the surrounding metro Tucson area and southeast Arizona, Jan. 2, 2019, north of Sonoita, Ariz.
Snow in Southern Arizona
Snow covers the desert landscape at Saguaro National Park East on January 02, 2019. Tucsonans woke up to snow on New Year's Day, followed by more snow Wednesday morning.
Snow in southeast Arizona
Empire Ranch, north of Sonoita, sports a chilly winter look after the second round of winter storms brought snowfall to the surrounding metro Tucson area and southeast Arizona, Jan. 2, 2019, in Tucson, Ariz.
Snow in southeast Arizona
Empire Ranch, north of Sonoita, sports a chilly winter look after the second round of winter storms brought snowfall to the surrounding metro Tucson area and southeast Arizona, Jan. 2, 2019, in Tucson, Ariz.
Snow in southeast Arizona
Clouds wisp around the peak of Mount Wrightson, south of Tucson, combining with the snow to appear downright alpen after the second round of winter storms brought snowfall to the surrounding metro Tucson area and southeast Arizona, Jan. 2, 2019, in Tucson, Ariz.
Snow in southeast Arizona
Cattle graze near "Bear Down Ranch" on Swanson Road in Sonoita after the second round of winter storms brought snowfall to the surrounding metro Tucson area and southeast Arizona, Jan. 2, 2019, in Sonoita, Ariz.
Snow in Southern Arizona
Snow covers the desert landscape at Saguaro National Park East on January 02, 2019. Tucsonans woke up to snow on New Year's Day, followed by more snow Wednesday morning.
Snow in southeast Arizona
Horses graze in a few inches of snow after the second round of winter storms brought snowfall to the surrounding metro Tucson area and southeast Arizona, Jan. 2, 2019, in Sonoita, Ariz.
Snow in southeast Arizona
Stephen Strom launches his drone to gather aerial footage of the snowfall in the foothills of the Santa Rita Mountains after the second round of winter storms brought snowfall to the surrounding metro Tucson area and southeast Arizona, Jan. 2, 2019, south of Vail, Ariz.
Snow in Southern Arizona
Snow covers the desert landscape at Saguaro National Park East on January 02, 2019. Tucsonans woke up to snow on New Year's Day, followed by more snow Wednesday morning.
Snow in Southern Arizona
Snow covers the desert landscape at Saguaro National Park East on January 02, 2019. Tucsonans woke up to snow on New Year's Day, followed by more snow Wednesday morning.
Snow in Southern Arizona
Steer roam around in the snow near Swanson Road after the second round of winter storms brought snowfall to the surrounding metro Tucson area and southeast Arizona, Jan. 2, 2019, in Sonoita, Ariz.
Snow in Southern Arizona
A steer grazes in the snow near Swanson Road after the second round of winter storms brought snowfall to the surrounding metro Tucson area and southeast Arizona, Jan. 2, 2019, just east of Sonoita, Ariz.
Snow in Southern Arizona
A "Mi De Fine" country snowfall scene out near southeast Arizona ranch land on Swanson Road after the second round of winter storms brought snowfall to the surrounding metro Tucson area and southeast Arizona, Jan. 2, 2019, in Sonoita, Ariz.
Snow in Southern Arizona
Eileen Bates stands next to her son, Matthew, as he takes a photo of the snow covered desert landscape at Saguaro National Park East on January 02, 2019. Parts of the Old Pueblo woke up to snow on New Year's Day, followed by more snow Wednesday morning.
Snow in Santa Cruz County
The trees in front of Nogales International Airport were heavy with powdery, but wet, snow following a blanketing of the Santa Cruz Valley Tuesday night. Some four to five inches covered much of the county resulting in closures and some driving difficulties. The sun was out by 9:30 am and was already warming the ground and melting the snow. Photo by Terry Ketron
Snow in Santa Cruz County
Rebecca Clark-Saenz sweeps some four to five inches of snow from the roof of her pick-up truck on Avenida Leon in Rio Rico AZ following an overnight blanketing of snow that left the Santa Cruz Valley covered in white. Photo by Terry Ketron
Snow in Santa Cruz County
An SUV makes its way out of Nogales on AZ 82 near the Nogales International Airport. At 11:30am there was still some standing snow between the lanes. Some four to five inches blanketed the Santa Cruz Valley Tuesday night but early clearing and sunshine was turning it into puddles. Photo by Terry Ketron
Snow in Santa Cruz County
Several motorists braved the elements along AZ 82 near the Nogales International Airport. At 11:30am there was still some standing snow between the lanes. Some four to five inches blanketed the Santa Cruz Valley Tuesday night but early clearing and sunshine was turning it into puddles. Photo by Terry Ketron
Snow in Santa Cruz County
Rebecca Clark-Saenz sweeps some four to five inches of snow from the roof of her pick-up truck on Avenida Leon in Rio Rico AZ following an overnight blanketing of snow that left the Santa Cruz Valley covered in white. Photo by Terry Ketron
Snow in Santa Cruz County
A late morning accident around 11:20 am Wednesday left this Nissan Altima in a precarious position at the 8.5 mile mark on AZ route 289 about a mile from Pena Blanca Lake.. According to the DPS Officer that investigated the accident the car "slid off the road". There was packed snow and ice in the downhill curve the driver encountered. According to a Rio Rico Fire District officer on the scene, the driver was not injured in the accident but did slip and sprain his ankle as he attempted to climb up the slope after he exited the car. He was transported to Holy Cross hospital. Photo by Terry Ketron
New Year's Day snow in Tucson
Snow covers the Santa Catalina Mountains after an overnight snow on New Year's Eve, Jan. 1, 2019, in Tucson, Ariz.
New Year's Day snow in Tucson
Snow covers the Santa Catalina Mountains after an overnight snow on New Year's Eve, Jan. 1, 2019, in Tucson, Ariz.
Snow
A hiker walks under the cloudy and snowy Santa Catalinas along the Agua Caliente Wash, Wednesday, January 1, 2019, Tucson, Ariz.
Snow
A peak in the Santa Catalinas peeks out of the low clouds shrouding the snowy slopes from below, Wednesday, January 1, 2019, Tucson, Ariz.
Snow
Clouds hover below the peaks on the eastern reaches of the Santa Catalinas following a New Year's Eve snow shower, Wednesday, January 1, 2019, Tucson, Ariz.
Snow on the Catalinas
The clouds part to reveal snow above Pima Canyon on the Western end of the Santa Catalina Mountains north of Tucson on Jan. 1, 2019, as seen from Oracle and Magee roads. Immaculate Heart High School is lower left.
Snow in southeast Arizona
Empire Ranch, north of Sonoita, sports a chilly winter look after the second round of winter storms brought snowfall to the surrounding metro Tucson area and southeast Arizona, Jan. 2, 2019, in Tucson, Ariz.
Snow was falling early Wednesday morning in portions of the Tucson metro area as well as across southern Arizona.
Officials warn to be cautious while driving and to watch for ice
Traffic backed up waiting to go up Catalina Highway.