Arizona Weather: Snow in Flagstaff, Rain & Wind in Phoenix – Feb 2026 Forecast

Storms Bring Rain and Snow to Arizona, Travel Concerns Mount

A cold front is delivering a welcome dose of moisture to Arizona, bringing rain to the Phoenix area and significant snowfall to northern parts of the state. The National Weather Service (NWS) reports that up to 12 inches of snow could accumulate in northern Arizona, while the Valley of the Sun experienced rainfall overnight on February 16th and into Tuesday, February 17th, 2026.

A winter weather advisory is currently in effect for the Mogollon Rim, Kaibab Plateau and White Mountains through 5 p.m. On February 17th. The advisory warns of potentially hazardous travel conditions due to snow and ice.

The first of two low-pressure systems arrived late on February 16th, ushering in breezy conditions with winds ranging from 15 to 30 mph, and gusts up to 50 mph expected through Wednesday. Snow levels began at 7,000 feet on February 16th and are forecast to drop to between 5,000 and 5,500 feet on February 17th.

The heaviest snowfall was anticipated overnight, from the late evening of February 16th into the early morning hours of February 17th. A second system is expected to arrive late on February 17th, bringing additional chances for snowfall into the early morning of February 18th. The weather service anticipates conditions will improve throughout February 17th before worsening again early on February 18th.

Travelers in mountainous regions are cautioned to expect slick roads and reduced visibility due to blowing snow. The most challenging conditions are predicted for the afternoon and evening of February 18th.

Rainfall in Metro Phoenix

The weather system originating from the Pacific brought a cold front across Arizona, resulting in cloudy skies and rainfall in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Central Phoenix and surrounding communities received between 0.04 and 0.08 inches of rain. Areas near Scottsdale saw up to 0.28 inches, while the Verrado area in Buckeye experienced the highest rainfall totals, reaching 0.47 inches, according to data from the Maricopa County Flood Control District.

Lingering winds and isolated showers are expected to continue in Phoenix through February 17th and February 18th. Wind gusts could reach between 20 and 30 mph on February 17th, increasing to 30 to 40 mph by mid-morning to early afternoon on February 18th.

Looking ahead, two additional weather systems are forecast to impact Arizona, one arriving on February 18th and another early on February 20th. There is a 40% chance of rain in metro Phoenix on February 18th, with higher precipitation probabilities in northern Arizona around Payson, Prescott, and Sedona.

On February 19th, central and southern Phoenix are forecast to have a 40% chance of rain, while northern Arizona could see a 90% chance of precipitation. February 20th is expected to be partly cloudy with a 20% chance of rain.

The NWS advises residents to secure loose objects that could be blown away by the strong winds, which may also create difficult driving conditions.