Remote Surveillance Trailer in Flagstaff, AZ

Arizona Snowbowl has officially surpassed 100 inches of snowfall this season, and as of today, February 18, 2026, we’re sitting at 121” total – with more on the way. And it’s still February.

For comparison, last season we didn’t hit the 100-inch mark until March 8. This year, we’re there weeks earlier – and winter is far from finished.

Two Big Storms = Big Momentum

The past stretch has been exactly what February is supposed to look like.

And we’re not done. According to OpenSnow, up to 24 additional inches are forecasted through Friday, February 20.

If that forecast delivers, we could be pushing 145 inches for the season before February is even over!

79% of Terrain Open And Counting

With 121” already on the books, we’ve got:

Right now, the only terrain still waiting in the wings is our Upper Bowl: hike-to terrain from the top of the Arizona Gondola featuring double black diamond runs.

And with this storm stacking up the snow totals, that terrain is looking closer and closer to opening!

And Don’t Forget… March Is Historically Our Deepest Month

Here’s the part that should really get skiers and riders excited:

March is historically our deepest month of the season.

We’ve already hit 121”, we could be approaching 145” before February wraps,and our snowiest month is still ahead. Imagine how deep this season could get if Miracle March comes through!

This isn’t the tail end of winter, it’s the launchpad.

Conditions Right Now

If you’re wondering what it’s skiing like:

The mountain feels filled in, refreshed, and primed for more.

Buy Early & Save on Lift Tickets

Snow is stacking up, and so is demand.

Lift ticket prices increase as dates fill up, which means the earlier you buy, the more you save. In February, tickets have been available starting as low as $48 (at time of writing).

If you’re planning to ski or ride, lock in your day now!

FLAGSTAFF, AZ (AZFamily) — The temperature is dropping, and the wind is picking up in Flagstaff ahead of the winter storm hitting Monday night. Organizations across the state are preparing now to keep people off the streets and keep the roads clear from snow and ice.

Arizona Department of Transportation representative Alexis Potter said they have hundreds of plows and people ready to keep High Country roads clear.

“So starting this morning, we have snow plows laying down brine, which helps to keep the road from getting icy as fast,” Potter said. “We also have our traffic operation center is staffed 24/7 all the time. We have 200 snow plows and about 400 operators. They work 12-hour shifts, so it’s around the clock when they need to for storms, anything like this.”

Law enforcement like Department of Public Safety and the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office also increase their patrol numbers around the major roadways in preparation.

One of the best ways to stay safe is to just stay home. High winds will make driving even more difficult, so if possible, wait until after the storm has passed to visit the High Country.

Shelter services expand capacity

Some people have nowhere else to go during a snowstorm, and that’s where Flagstaff Shelter Services steps in.

Shelter director Ross Schaefer said since the opening of their new traditional housing unit, over 100 people now have their own warm, safe room to weather the storm.

“That’s really taken a lot of people out of the system, if you will, and put them into their own unit and has lowered our numbers in our congregate shelter,” Schaefer said.

Making sure people are warm outside the shelter is also important, which is where the clothing closet comes in handy. They provide things like winter jackets, pants and more to the local homeless population.

“Some of our coldest temperatures can seem like they’re coming during the day lately, so we want to make sure that even when they leave for the day that they have the kinds of clothing and gear that’s going to help keep people safe and alive,” Schaefer said.

She adds they are always taking clothing donations and right now are in need of winter socks and pants. You can learn more about how to donate or volunteer here.

Businesses prepare for storm benefits

Ski and snowboard rental shop First Chair is preparing equipment for an expected rush of customers. The business, located on the way to Snowbowl, is getting equipment fine-tuned and waxed.

“It definitely helps out. It brings a lot of folks to Flagstaff and I just think having that resort open in general over the winter, it just brings people here,” said Colton Bond of First Chair.

Peter Koeppe, a snow plower, said he plans to work all Monday night into the early morning hours. He said he is excited for the boost in business the snowfall will bring.

“It’ll probably be from 10 o’clock to five in the morning, so it’s usually late nights,” Koeppe said. “It’s been slow unfortunately, and we can use the snow.”

See a spelling or grammatical error in our story? .

Do you have a photo or video of a breaking news story? Send with a brief description.

Flagstaff’s affordable housing options have expanded with the opening of Sierra on 66, a 221‑unit community funded through Low‑Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC).

The development team said the Route 66 project helps Flagstaff’s “affordable housing emergency.” According to Kevin Sturgeon, lead developer for Roers Companies, Sierra on 66 has been years in the making.

“We’ve been working on it for probably four to five years, from when we signed the site up and began conversations with the city, all the way to getting it done under construction and opened up,” he said.

The development is available to households earning up to 60% of the area median income. It includes one-, two‑ and three‑bedroom units and was designed to blend seamlessly with nearby market‑rate communities.

“I’d argue it’s indistinguishable from a lot of the market‑rate communities around there,” Sturgeon said. “The exterior looks super nice, and it’s got all the community amenities that are nice in the area.”

Residents have access to a fitness center, tot lot, dog run, bocce ball court, club room, and outdoor patios with fire pits and grilling stations. Inside the apartments, features include stainless‑steel appliances, walk‑in closets, vinyl‑plank flooring, ceiling fans, and in‑unit washers and dryers.

The all-inclusive rent structure is one feature Sturgeon believes will stand out to residents.

“All of the utilities are included in the rent already,” he said. “Electricity, water, sewer, trash — everything is included in the base rent. It’s a fixed rent structure, and I think that’s a nice bonus for a lot of tenants.”

Sturgeon emphasized that the project’s success is tied to strong partnerships. “We work with the state, we work with the city a lot, and they’ve been nothing but supportive since day one,” he said. “Flagstaff declared a formal affordable housing emergency, and while we didn’t solve it, we tried to chip away at it and be a solution.”

He added that Sierra on 66 is the largest affordable housing development the city has seen “in a while,” and the team is proud of the result. “We wanted to make sure it’s something everyone is proud of,” he said. “We own and manage the property long‑term, so we wanted it to fit in the community.”

Qualifications, rents and unit types are listed on SierraOn66.com.

FLAGSTAFF, AZ (AZFamily) — A northern Arizona chef is just one of 16 highly decorated chefs being featured on a brand-new cooking show, competing for a $1 million grand prize.

Chef Rochelle Daniel, the owner of Atria in downtown Flagstaff, is among the participants competing in the inaugural season of CBS’ America’s Culinary Cup!

Chef Daniel is no stranger to the Arizona culinary scene, as she was named to the Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame and appeared on Food Network’s “Chopped.” Along with her long list of accolades, she is also a 2026 nominee for Best Chef in the Southwest by the James Beard Foundation.

The show premieres on CBS 5 beginning Wednesday, March 4, and will also be streamed on Paramount +. The show features 16 chefs, including Chef Daniel, who will test their skills through the “10 Culinary Commandments”: meat, vegetables, sauces, dessert, innovation, flavors, sustainability, world cuisine, consistency and culinary science and technology.

Three judges will evaluate each chef’s taste, creativity, presentation and technique to determine who mastered all 10 areas of expertise and takes home the largest grand prize in culinary television history.

“It is so, so intense because they picked the best of the best nationwide for chefs. It is just incredible to be recognized amongst the best chefs and that talent. So it’s the most intense show alive, and I’m pretty excited for it to come out,” Chef Daniel said.

Outside of competing on an intense cooking show, Chef Daniel has big plans for what she’s bringing to Flagstaff next.

“We’re opening up a bistro next door, and then a bakery, and then a speakeasy,” she explained. “It’s growing every day, and people come up here to eat and, you know, enjoy the mountains, which I think is great. So we’re really shifting that college town into something great.”

Atria is hosting a watch party this Wednesday for the season premiere of America’s Culinary Cup at 7:30 p.m. MST.

See a spelling or grammatical error in our story? .

Do you have a photo or video of a breaking news story? Send with a brief description.

The Brief

Two of three storms have passed our state. The third and final system is expected Thursday night.

Thursday and Friday:

Following between 3–7" of snow that fell over parts of the Flagstaff area, another dose of 4-8" will be possible. The next area of low pressure and associated cold front will approach from the West tonight.

By late afternoon/early evening, a few showers will start to move into northwestern . Slowly, the moisture will spill down into Coconino and Yavapai counties, with a mix of rain and snow. The snow elevation line will drop to 5,000 feet tonight, bringing chances for at least a dusting of snow to areas around Prescott, Sedona and even Payson.

The storm will pass throughout the night and bring a brush of rain showers to the Valley between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. For Flagstaff, the best time for snow showers is between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m. Over the San Francisco Peaks, snow totals between 6 and 12 inches are possible. This will add to the 2 feet of snow that have already dropped atop the mountain over the last 3 days.

Winds will increase tonight, too. Gusts of 25-35 mph are forecast in overnight with gusts between 35-50 mph in the High Country. There are in parts of northern Arizona, due to the expected gusty conditions.

The system will weaken some as it heads into eastern Arizona early tomorrow morning. Between 4 a.m. and 9 a.m., the showers will exit the state to the East, and dry conditions will prevail for the rest of the day.

It will be quite chilly due to the passage of this third and final cold front. The forecast low will drop into the upper 40s in Phoenix with wind chills into the lower 40s. In Flagstaff, single-digit wind chills are expected tomorrow morning. Highs will again cap in the mid 60s around the Valley on Thursday and Friday.

The Weekend:

Dry weather is expected all weekend.

The forecast high will climb back to the 70s on Saturday and low 80s by Sunday.

Road Conditions

Leave prepared before heading north

After recent snowfall in the high country, the Arizona Department of Transportation is reminding drivers who are heading north to never park along highways to play in the snow.

Use the highway shoulders for emergencies only. Parking on them to play in the snow is hazardous in the following ways:

"Also, it’s not uncommon for lots of desert dwellers to take the opportunity to head north to play in the snow. So, remember to pack your patience and expect to spend extended time in your vehicle getting to and from snow play areas."

ADOT's suggestions for items to take along:

ADOT says you and your vehicle must be prepared for driving in wintry conditions, including snow, ice and freezing temperatures.

For Flagstaff area snow-play locations, see FlagstaffArizona.org's Winter Recreation Map or call 844-256-SNOW.

Rain/flood safety tips

The American Red Cross' tips for heavy rain situations and flood safety:

Preparing for a severe thunderstorm

The American Red Cross' tips for preparing for a severe thunderstorm: