Does it snow in Arizona? Absolutely. In fact the amount may surprise you – upwards of 75 inches each year in the northern regions, and at the ski resorts (yes, they have ski resorts in Arizona), the total is 260 inches, an impressive 21.5 feet. Arizona is not normally a state that you would associate with snow, but they certainly get their fair share considering how far south they are in the continental USA.

The weather in Arizona is all about altitude. In the summer, it can be scorching hot in Phoenix and low-lying areas, with temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, but drive just an hour north and up nearly 6,000 feet to the Flagstaff area, and suddenly it’s pleasantly cool with temperatures in the mid 70s. The same principles apply in the winter: when it’s cool in Phoenix or Tucson, it’s downright frosty in high places like Flagstaff or Payson.

One of the great things about seeing snow in Arizona is that following the storms, the sun shines. The sheer intensity of the blue skies against the blindingly white snow all set against a desert backdrop is a sight that you won’t readily forget.

If you are going to be in the state in winter, here are some great places to see snow in Arizona:

1. Flagstaff

One of the most consistent places to see snow in Arizona is in Flagstaff. Owing to its 7,000-foot elevation, Flagstaff, or “Flag” as it’s known locally, receives on average around 75 inches of snow from October though until April. This means you’ll have your best chance of seeing snow on the ground in town in January or February.

2. Arizona Snowbowl

If you want to be 100 percent assured of seeing and experiencing snow in Arizona outside of January or February, continue a few miles past Flagstaff and head up to the Arizona Snowbowl ski area. The resort sits on the flanks of 12,635-foot-high Mount Humphreys. This mountain is actually the remains of a volcano that has eroded down over the millennia.

The weather at Arizona Snowbowl is predominantly sunny, as it snows on an infrequent basis, but when it does snow, watch out. The storms that race across the desert bump up against this huge mountain and dump copious quantities of the white stuff.

3. The Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is one of the most beautiful places to see snow in Arizona. It’s also a surprisingly cold place. The south rim is at an elevation of 7,000 feet, and winter storms and winds race across the plains leading to the edge. The south rim averages just under five feet of snow each winter.

4. Sedona

There is perhaps, no more beautiful place when it snows in Arizona than Sedona. This funky town is set in one of the most spectacular palces in Arizona, with vibrant red rocks dotted with green trees and bushes.

5. Tucson and Surrounding Mountains

Tucson sits at an elevation of 2,388 feet and is a colder place than Phoenix, which sits at the base of a wide valley. As a result, it receives a bit of snow most, but not all, years. In February 2019, the city received 1.9 inches, the largest snowfall total since Christmas 1987.

6. Prescott

The town of Prescott is officially known as Arizona’s Christmas City. With that moniker, if you are going to celebrate Christmas in a big way, you better make sure you have some snow to go around. Fortunately, Prescott meets this requirement with about half a foot of snow falling each winter. The snow doesn’t usually stick around for very long but that doesn’t stop the city from undertaking a huge Christmas light display.

7. Payson

Payson is another great spot to find snow in Arizona. Located 90 minutes northeast of Phoenix, this mountain town sits in the high country of the Mogollon Rim. This high elevation leads to cool temperatures and snowfall totals in the range of two feet annually. The best time to see snow in Payson is from December through until late March.

8. Williams

A bit farther west from Flagstaff is the small town of Williams. This is the jumping-off spot for train trips to the Grand Canyon. Although the town used to have a small ski hill, it has been closed for a few years, but there is talk of reopening it now that nearby Arizona Snowbowl owns the property.

< Source : https://www.planetware.com/arizona/best-places-to-see-snow-us-az-247.htm >