HikeArizona.COM

The endless chatter of weather.

Oh, it was just brutally gorgeous here today, with horrendously perfect weather on Kitt Peak. Just fantastic, couldn't have asked for better weather. It was just unbearable.

I called a friend down at the RV park on the riverbank in Needles where I spent the winter. She and the others were putting on their swimsuits preparing for a swim. I told her to shut up!

@azbackpackr

Looks like the models are trending for a repeat performance this upcoming weekend. Another cool system with rain and snow on Friday with lingering showers and absolutely ridiculously great mid-May temperatures Saturday and Sunday.

We can only hope!

I know I'll whine a wee bit when it gets cold again in Williams, but I also am glad it's maybe pushing back fire season, and maybe they won't have to close Bill Williams Mountain in June like they did last year.

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/FXC/wxstory.php?wfo=sgx

Late season models tend to over estimate in Arizona, but might be pretty accurate in southern California. In which case more rain and snow for San Diego would be impressive and greatly beneficial this late in the year. Arizona may also get an impressive amount for the Rim, and sort of north and west of Tucson.

A lot of weather people are calling for a strong El Nino developing, which would be great for December to March of 2016, but that is so far away. Hopefully, summer won't be super dry (just slightly drier) and then there will be a massive snow pack for next winter. California, sure, but The Peaks, which seem to have had more snow from the end of February to now in mid-May, than they received in November to mid-February.

I don't think I can recall a May with two consecutive weeks with reasonable storms ... and snow levels around 6kft in Arizona. Not complaining about it at all though.

My recollection of May is a month that is hot and dry with temps in the upper 90s and low 100s with pleasant evenings. I'll take pleasant days and chilly evenings over that anytime!

I'm crying for Argentina and because these cool storms prevent me from wanting to trek to the Pinalenos, which I would like to visit before the end of the month comes.

Williams, scattered rain and possible snow in the forecast through Saturday. It rained last night but right now it is feebly trying to be sunny. I expect it will rain some more today. We can use it.

Another strange May day here where we have had more overcast than in January.

Up to 6" of snow forecast in higher elevations of eastern Arizona. Not bad for May 15th. This moisture could really help delay the onset of fire season in the high country.

Two of Arizona's big fires started at the end of May (Wallow and Horseshoe 2) but most others not until the middle to end of June (Rodeo-Chediski, Nuttall Complex, Willow, Cave Creek Complex, Shultz, Aspen).

I think the recent weather pattern will prevent any major starts in May. As for June? That will depend on if there's a pattern shift I think. There's already another storm forecast for next week, so it's not ready to give up quite yet.

Like I said, reminds me of 2009.

@Chumley ... this June 25th will be the 25th anniversary of the Dude Fire. Seems like it's not necessarily the biggest ones that are the most dangerous (e.g. Yarnell as well) ...

The weather nuts would love it up here in Northern Arizona today. Snow in Bellemont and Flagstaff. From where I sit in my RV in Williams I can see all the hills around the town, if they are not obscured by cloud cover. They all have snow down the sides. I guess if it gets just a little bit colder the rain will become snow here in town.

I am scheduled to give a van tour at the Canyon this afternoon. Secretly hoping the party will cancel. It's not so much that I mind being up there and seeing Grand Canyon in rainy or snowy weather. It's the driving up there that has me worried.

Winter Weather Advisory in effect. It's May 15th!

6 inches of snow at Bellemont already

@chumley
You're so happy about it, I'll give you the key to my tour van, you can deal with the roads.

It's the affect of being somewhere having to deal with something,and not being somewhere and getting to enjoy the webcam or idea of driving up tomorrow for recreation. All the people who could sit in their armchairs, sip a Mai-tai, and tell me to be positive while it was cold and windy over a past Memorial Day (and I wanted 80, sunny and calm) or blowing brown filth in a hurricane force winds that permanently scoured paint off my old car, hazed the mirror, and bent the door frame when the wind took it from my hand while getting out of the car when a particularly strong gust hit the vehicle, can get excited about something they don't have to deal with.

That reminds me, have you seen the Bellmont webcam? Look at that snow! http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/fgz/webcam/late ... hp?wfo=fgz



Now, remember to think positive, whistle a happy tune, and enjoy your frontal lobotomy while driving to the and from the canyon in a top heavy, 15 passenger death trap, with horny Elk roaming the roads, unsure European tourist drivers, incompetent east Asian drivers, and aggressive Los Angeles drivers out to see the Canyon over the weekend.

I love snow, but I'm happy Az. Is getting it for a change.

Don't forget the Nevada buttheads.

@MtnBart01
I felt sorry for you all winter, while I was paddling barefoot on the lower Colorado River. Now you can feel sorry for me!