Record snowfalls in Arizona history
Almost everyone who lives in areas prone to snow seems to have a legendary snowstorm story: the blizzard of '78, the , any of the blizzards or bomb cyclones that have happened since then. And according to experts, historic snowstorms鈥攖he kind you measure all other snowy days against鈥攁re .
Despite shorter, warmer winters鈥攄riven by climate change鈥攊n many areas, blizzards are predicted to become more frequent and intense. Since warmer air holds more moisture, more snow is likely to fall when temperatures are just below freezing versus when temperatures are significantly below the 32 degrees Fahrenheit freezing point.
Warmer-than-normal winter air is impacting nearly every region of the U.S., according to a 2024 study by Climate Central. For every the air holds 4% more moisture, creating the right conditions for intense snowfall.
compiled a list of the biggest 1-day snowfalls in Arizona using data from the to better understand historical snowfall events on a local level. Only one record snowfall for each county was included in the list.
February 26, 1987 (Pinal County)
- 1-day snowfall: 16.5 inches
January 20, 1916 (Santa Cruz County)
- 1-day snowfall: 23.0 inches
January 20, 1916 (Cochise County)
- 1-day snowfall: 30.0 inches
December 17, 1965 (Pima County)
- 1-day snowfall: 30.0 inches
March 11, 2006 (Gila County)
- 1-day snowfall: 32.0 inches
January 26, 2021 (Yavapai County)
- 1-day snowfall: 36.0 inches
December 14, 1967 (Navajo County)
- 1-day snowfall: 38.0 inches
February 25, 1987 (Greenlee County)
- 1-day snowfall: 38.0 inches
November 30, 1975 (Apache County)
- 1-day snowfall: 40.0 inches
January 21, 2010 (Coconino County)
- 1-day snowfall: 42.0 inches
