Tucson Weather: ADOT Warns Drivers To Never Park In Snow Amid Hazardous Storm Track

For most people living in Phoenix, snow feels like something that happens to other people in other places. Arizona doesn't do winter, or so the mythology goes. But this week, that comfortable fiction crumbles as two powerful storm systems sweep across the state, transforming the high country into a winter landscape and forcing desert dwellers to confront an uncomfortable truth: Arizona winters are real, treacherous, and demand respect.

As residents pack their vehicles and head northward seeking snow, the Arizona Department of Transportation is sounding an urgent alarm about behaviour that could cost lives.

The forecast is stark. The first storm rolled through on Wednesday, January 7, bringing the Phoenix Valley's coldest day of the season so far, with temperatures dropping to just 60 degrees and light rain showers arriving during the late afternoon. But the real action is happening further north. Along the Mogollon Rim and in the mountains, rain is transitioning into snow.

By Thursday, as the second storm moves in from the northwest, those accumulations will intensify dramatically. The National Weather Service is calling for 3 to 5 inches in Flagstaff, 12 inches or more at Arizona Snowbowl, and between 1 and 2 feet around Sunrise Ski Resort. Winter weather advisories are now in effect across the high elevations, with wind gusts reaching 35 to 45 miles per hour in places like Flagstaff and Show Low.​

The dichotomy is peculiar to Arizona. In the same 24-hour period, Phoenix residents will experience mild Valley temperatures around 60 degrees, whilst just two hours' drive north, motorists will be navigating whiteout conditions with visibility dangerously compromised by blowing and drifting snow.​

The Desert Driver's Dilemma: How Arizona Weather Catches Unprepared Motorists

Here lies the crux of the seasonal paradox that ADOT officials find themselves managing year after year. When snow blankets the high country, desert dwellers—many of whom have never experienced genuine winter driving conditions—become overwhelmed with the desire to experience it firsthand.

Families pile into vehicles woefully unprepared, clogging highways and overwhelming emergency services. What should be a two-hour drive becomes a six-hour ordeal. What should be a safe family outing becomes a genuine survival situation.

'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 cautions.​

But there's something more sinister occurring along Arizona's highways. Drivers are parking along highway shoulders to play in the snow—a decision that creates a cascade of hazards that ADOT has enumerated with clinical precision. When a vehicle stops on a highway shoulder, other drivers become distracted. Some pull over as well, compounding congestion and creating multiple stationary targets in an active traffic corridor.

Snow ploughs throw snow and ice 'far off highways,' transforming a highway shoulder into a projectile hazard zone. First responders, unable to access the shoulder safely, find their ability to respond to genuine emergencies severely compromised.​

'Use the highway shoulders for emergencies only,' ADOT emphasises. 'Parking on them to play in the snow is hazardous'.​

Preparation Is the Only Defence: ADOT's Winter Driving Checklist and Essential Safety

ADOT has articulated a comprehensive list of must-haves for winter travel, and it's worth examining in detail because it reflects a cold reality: Arizona's high country doesn't care about your confidence level or your overestimation of your vehicle's capabilities.

Before departing, motorists must ensure their fuel tank is between half and three-quarters full at all times. This isn't paranoia—it's pragmatism. Running out of fuel in northern Arizona during a snowstorm transforms a minor inconvenience into a life-threatening emergency. They must carry warm clothing and blankets, a fully charged mobile phone with a charger, a flashlight with extra batteries, drinking water, and healthy snacks.​

For the vehicle itself: snow tyres, chains, or studded tyres (permitted on Arizona highways from October 1 through May 1) are non-negotiable. Motor oil must be changed to winter grade. Windshield wipers must function properly, as must the defroster, headlights, taillights, brake lights, and turn signals. For those driving electric or hybrid vehicles, the battery must have sufficient voltage and connections must be tight.​

Beyond these basics, pack a small folding shovel for snow removal, a small bag of sand or kitty litter for wheel traction, a travel tool kit and battery cables, safety flares, an ice scraper, a first-aid kit, necessary medications, and road maps.​

Finally, plan your route in advance and notify someone of your intended destination and expected arrival time. This simple act transforms a winter journey from a potentially fatal solo adventure into a traceable path that emergency responders can follow if you fail to arrive.​