A major winter storm made its way through Arizona, bringing record-setting snowfall in the high country, rain in the Valley and cold temperatures. Plus, the surrounding mountains were blanketed in snow.
Flagstaff on Thursday had a new single-day snowfall record of 35.9 inches (91.2 centimeters) at the airport, breaking the city's previous mark of 31.0 inches (78.74 centimeters) set in 1915. Phoenix on Thursday set a new record for the day with 1.01 inch (2.57 centimeters) of rain, eclipsing the old mark of 0.73 inch (1.85 centimeters) set in 1973.
Some outlying areas in higher elevations of the northern outskirts of metro Phoenix had light snowfall. Exciting to see snow behind our house and around the area.
The McDowell Mountains behind our house.
The McDowell Mountain Range (Yavapai: Wi:kajasa) is located about twenty miles north-east of downtown Phoenix. The range is composed of miocene deposits left nearly five million years ago. The McDowells share borders with the cities of Fountain Hills, Scottsdale, and Maricopa County. The city of Scottsdale has made its share of the McDowells a preserve, and has set up a wide trail network in partnership with the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy. The McDowell Sonoran Conservancy was established in 1991. The highest peak in the McDowells is East End, at 4,069 feet (1,240 m). This mountain range also serves as a sacred marker to the Yavapai people.
Behind our casita
It was snowing at this time. Difficult to see the antennas on the top of the hill.
In this area, snow that lasts more than a few hours is a rare occurrence. So... everyone is out taking pictures.
This morning, I decided to attend the Fountain Hills Great Fair. Five hundred artists line the Avenue of the Fountains with beautiful works of art.
Fountain Hills is on the other side of the McDowell Mountains from where I live. They received more snow than we did.
Yes, that is an orange tree.
Fountain Hills world famous fountain.
At its full height of 560 feet, the fountain in the center of Fountain Hills is higher than the Washington Monument. It is 10 feet taller than Notre Dame Cathedral, 110 feet higher than the Great Pyramid of Cheops in Egypt and three times as high as Old Faithful in Yellowstone Park.
The white plume of the world famous fountain is visible far beyond Fountain Hills. It can be seen from as far away as the Superstition Mountains, Carefree and even from aircraft.
The fountain is the focal point for community celebrations and the pride of its residents. If you happen to visit during the St. Patrick’s Day celebration, you’ll see the fountain transform to emerald green.
The Fountain is extended to its full height on special occasions, for everyday viewing the Fountain reaches a height of 330 feet!
The World Famous Fountain runs every hour on the hour for 15 minutes from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. everyday of the week! This fountain is a celebration of life and water where it is most appreciated – in the middle of the desert.
History of the fountain
Built in 1970 by Robert McCulloch, the fountain is one of the largest fountains in the world! The fountain sprays water for 15 minutes every hour at the top of the hour.
The fountain uses 7,000 gallons per minute and at its full height it can reach 560 feet in the air.
The plume rises from a concrete water lily sculpture in the center of a man-made lake.
Mazatzal Mountains as seen from Fountain Hills
View of the snow covered hills toward Carefree.
Four Peaks (Yavapai: Wi:khoba) is a prominent landmark on the eastern skyline of Phoenix. Part of the Mazatzal Mountains, it is located in the Four Peaks Wilderness, on the Tonto National Forest, 40 miles (64 km) east-northeast of Phoenix. In winter, Four Peaks offers much of the Phoenix metro area a view of snow-covered peaks. Four Peaks is the site of an amethyst mine that produces top-grade amethyst.
The name Four Peaks is a reference to the four distinct peaks of a north–south ridge forming the massif's summit. The northernmost peak is named Brown's Peak and is the tallest of the four at 7,659 feet (2,334 m). It is the highest point in Maricopa County. The remaining summits are unnamed, and from north to south are 7,644 feet (2,330 m), 7,574 feet (2,309 m) and 7,526 feet (2,294 m) in elevation.
The pictures were taken on Dynamite Road in Scottsdale facing Four Peaks.
These pictures were taken on Dynamite Road in Scottsdale facing the McDowell Mountains.
Quite a bit of snow fell in this area off Dynamite Road.
Many families were out building snowmen or playing in the snow.
Snow..... a rare and special treat in Scottsdale!