On the last business day of the week, social media filled up with photos of snow blanketing bushes and trees and barely sticking to concrete and pavement. After a long summer of record-breaking heat, Arizonans are understandably excited for a hint of winter.
The Grand Canyon State’s first snow comes after the Phoenix area saw 142 days with temperatures of at least 100 degrees, which is three days shy of a record set in 2020. The Valley did set a record this year for the most 110-plus-degree days at 70, which is 15 more than the previous record set in 2023.
Snow didn't reach down into Maricopa County, but cooler temperatures did. On Friday, temperatures in the Valley mostly sat in the mid-70s, according to the National Weather Service. The lower temperatures will continue over the weekend.
But while Phoenicians yearned for snow, news stations, weather services and residents of the state's northern reaches shared their happiness at the sign of snowflakes. Here are some of the best photos.
First official snow in Bellemont for the season! So far 2” and counting ☃️❄️ #azwx pic.twitter.com/ZSeqxbx6nB
— NWS Flagstaff (@NWSFlagstaff) October 18, 2024
Yes! Snow on the San Francisco Peaks! Flagstaff, Arizona pic.twitter.com/77UM1exb6b
— Fan of Arizona (@fanofnmtn) October 18, 2024
Dook’o’oosłííd
— Navajo Times (@navajotimes) October 18, 2024
Snow lightly covered Mount Humphreys on Dook’o’oosłííd in Flagstaff as cooler temperatures and thunderstorms arrived in northern Arizona on Friday morning.
Navajo Times | Nicholas House pic.twitter.com/lZieOpvuMk
We’ve got snow at @AZSnowbowl !#snow #snowbowl #arizona pic.twitter.com/Pg82oencdv
— Cory Kowitz (@cory_kowitz) October 18, 2024
❄️it's here❄️ pic.twitter.com/2XHYi00E1g
— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) October 18, 2024