California, Rockies End Weekend with Feet of Snow

"Driveway WAS clear. Be careful out there," Flagstaff resident Steven Shaff tweeted.

By Kristina Pydynowski, Senior Meteorologist

Mar 19, 2012; 1:41 PM ET

The major winter storm currently slamming central Montana buried the mountains of California and Rockies with feet of snow over St. Patrick's Day weekend, creating nightmares for travelers.
More than one yardstick was needed to measure the 43 inches of snow that clobbered Tamarack Summit and Quaking Aspen in California's southern Sierra.
Even the ski resorts in Southern California did not have to worry about making snow over the weekend with a fresh 27 inches burying Snow Summit and Bear Mountain Ski Resorts in only 24 hours.
The winter storm did not lose any of its punch as it tore through the Rockies on Sunday. By 7 EDT this morning, 37 inches had been recorded at Alta Collins in Utah's Wasatch Mountains.
A total of 53 inches of snow had buried Arizona Snowbowl by early this morning with 24 inches measured in Flagstaff, Ariz.
The totals throughout the Rockies are sure to rise today with snow showers not expected to end until tonight.

 

"Flagstaff Fire busy with all the traffic accidents. No life threatening injuries, thankfully," The Flagstaff News tweeted.

The snow across the West has definitely been a boon for skiers, but created a nightmare for travelers.

The snow not only fell heavily at times and rapidly covered roads, but some areas also faced extremely poor visibility as strong winds whipped the snow around.

The snow forced officials to close portions of Interstate 17 and a 180-mile stretch of Interstate 40 in Arizona on Sunday, according to CNN. The Associated Press reports that I-40 remains closed from Ash Fork to Flagstaff, a distance of roughly 50 miles, this morning.
The St. Patrick's Day weekend winter storm did more than unleash feet of snow. Small hail fell on parts of Southern California and a tornado even touched down in central California Saturday afternoon.
More of the West faced soaking rain and strong winds.

While no flooding resulted, Phoenix received its first measurable rain (0.25 of an inch) since Dec. 18 on Sunday. A couple of thunderstorms accompanied the rain.
Phoenix is known for its dry climate, but this is normally a wet time of the year for the 'Valley of the Sun.' Phoenix typically receives nearly 3 inches of rain from late December through mid-March.
Today, the worst of the winter storm will continue to slam central Montana and neighboring parts of Canada. Up to a foot of snow will fall with gusty winds significantly blowing and drifting the snow around, creating dangerous travel conditions.

California, Rockies End Weekend with Feet of Snow