Even with storms rolling through Southern ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ throughout the month, January was slightly warmer and drier than usual in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥. However, this week promises a cold snap, with glimpses of temperatures in the 20s, rain and possibly snow in higher elevations.
The average temperature for January was right at 55 degrees, a little more than half a degree above the average for the month, according to National Weather Service data. Despite a few local January rain events, only slightly more than a quarter inch of rain fell, much less than the average .84 inches.
Fans of a slightly wetter, colder winter need not wait too long, though. According to Rob Howlett, meteorologist with the NWS-ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, colder temps and moisture will make their way into the area by Wednesday.
“It’s not going to be a lot of rain, unfortunately, as far as the amount of rain,†Howlett said. “Light showers will be moving across the area and some snow in the higher elevations. And much cooler temperatures behind that as well.â€
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Howlett said early morning temperatures could dip into the 20s on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, with the high temperatures being in the 50s on those days. It could also feel colder — wind is in the forecast.
Erika Ciamares, owner of ModernOpus, looks at gems from Arthur Gem and Jewelry Co. After the cooler temperatures this week, February weather should be nice for the gem show.
“It’ll be breezy on Wednesday, I should also mention that,†Howlett said. “So, we’ll have some stronger winds during the afternoon, and it looks like on Friday, as well.â€
Those winds, which should be blowing from the east, according to Howlett, are the result of a high- and low-pressure difference caused by the cold Rocky Mountain winter air meeting warmer desert air.
“Because of the topography of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, there’s a little bit of a strengthening that occurs when we have winds from that direction,†Howlett said. “And, it usually is windier at night and in the morning when we have those kind of east wind events.â€
Still, the cooler weather isn’t a trend that will hold, at least according to National Climate Prediction Center. According to data, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ and Southern ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ are predicted to follow course with February: slightly warmer and drier than normal.
“We’re still in that La Niña pattern, and this is really typical of what we’ll see,†Howlett said. “This time of year: above normal temperatures, below normal rainfall. And we’re still kind of looking at that for the month of February.â€
Photos: Winter rains over ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥
New Year's Eve Rain
A woman crosses a glistening Fourth Avenue at Seventh Street as series of winter storms drops rain on the valley, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., December 31, 2021.
New Year's Eve Rain
Umbrella carrying pedestrians cross as they walk along Congress near Sixth Avenue under a steady rain from a series of winter storms that passed over downtown, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., December 31, 2021.
New Year's Eve Rain
A break in the clouds lights up downtown including the skyscraper One South Church, the Marist College building and St. Augustine Cathedral, all reflected in a puddle from the rains that fell for most of the afternoon, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., December 31, 2021.
New Year's Eve Rain
A brilliant rainbow arcs over the downtown skyline in the rain from a winter storm, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., December 31, 2021.
Christmas Eve
A pedestrian walks along Church Avenue near Congress Street during a persistent rain falling over the area all morning and into the early afternoon on Christmas Eve, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., December 24, 2021. A quarter to half inch fell on the lower elevations.
Christmas Eve
Rain drops fall on the Pancho Villa statue in Veinte de Agosto Park as a winter storm moves over the area on Christmas Eve, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., December 24, 2021.
Christmas Eve
A large puddle spreads out in the east side of Jacome Plaza downtown during a morning long rain over the area on Christmas Eve, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., December 24, 2021.
Christmas Eve
Storm clouds move over the tree in Jacome Plaza as rain falls on downtown into the afternoon on Christmas Eve, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., December 24, 2021.
Christmas Eve
The mural at the Paseo Redondo parking lot is reflected in a puddle left by the morning rain after a winter storm moved over the area on Christmas Eve, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., December 24, 2021.
Christmas Eve
A pedestrian crosses rain slick Congress Street at Church Avenue during the early morning rain on Christmas Eve, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., December 24, 2021.
Photos: Floods of 1993
Floods of 1993
Aerial view of the Agua Caliente Wash flowing over Ft. Lowell Road and floods a nearby home. January 8, 1993.
Floods of 1993
Aerial view of a Boeing 747 stranded in floodwaters at the end of the runway at Pinal Airpark. January 8, 1993.
Floods of 1993
This farm was one of several south of Pinal Air Park in Avra Valley that was inundated with water from the banks of the Santa Cruz. January 9, 1993.
Floods of 1993
The I-10 bridge over the Gila River. Flooding on the Gila River in January, 1993.
Floods of 1993
Flooding at "The Flats" near Winkelman forced evacuations. January 9, 1993.
Floods of 1993
Spillways open on the Coolidge Dam on San Carlos Lake. Flooding on the Gila River in January, 1993.
Floods of 1993
Spillways open on the Coolidge Dam on San Carlos Lake. Flooding on the Gila River in January, 1993.
Floods of 1993
Water from one of Coolidge Dam's spillways plunges and churns toward downstream communities. January 13, 1993.
Floods of 1993
Flooded farmland along the Gila River. Flooding on the Gila River in January, 1993.
Floods of 1993
Spectators stand along the surging Santa Cruz River this morning, watching the water rush past West St. Mary's Road. January 19, 1993.
Floods of 1993
Ken Galyean of the U.S. Geological Survey checked the 16-foot-deep Santa Cruz today. January 19,1993.
Floods of 1993
The meandering Santa Cruz River comes within a few feet of flooding North Silverbell Road yesterday before receding. January 20, 1993.
Floods of 1993
Back Yard Disappears- The raging Rillito continues to take its toll on neighboring property owners as its banks erode from rushing rain runoff. Here, the back yard of a home west of North Craycroft Road is swallowed up by the Rillito. Authorities managed to save a mobile home from the Santa Cruz River yesterday. January 14, 1993. Photo by Norma Jean Gargasz / ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Citizen.
Floods of 1993
Wash Gives Back What It Claimed- A car is revealed by receding waters in Canada del Oro Wash. Nobody was hurt when it was washed away. January 13, 1993. Photo by Rick Wiley / ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Citizen.
Floods of 1993
Land Grab- Residents watch the Santa Cruz River eat chunks of their land in the 6600 block of North Silverbell Road. The meandering path of the river endangered some home yesterday in an area dominated by mobile homes. January 14, 1993. Photo by Rick Wiley / ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Citizen.
Floods of 1993
Heavy earth-moving equipment was used early yesterday to shore up eroding banks along the Rillito near Campbell and River. January 9, 1993. Photo by Xavier Gallegos / ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Citizen.
Floods of 1993
Cars little flooded Tanque Verde Road near Aque Caliente Wash, near an area where officials estimate 2,500 residents are trapped. January 9, 1993. Photo by Xavier Gallegos / ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Citizen.
Floods of 1993
At Work And Play- With a break between storms, road crews on North Camino de la Tierra yesterday hurry to reinforce banks and remove debris from the Rillito. Meanwhile, onlookers and joyriders have their day in the sun. January 11, 1993. Photo by Norma Jean Gargasz / ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Citizen.
Floods of 1993
1 of 3 pics- A backyard shed clings to the eroding bank of the Rillito just west of Craycroft Road. January 9, 1993.
Floods of 1993
2 of 3 pics- Shed loses its precarious grip and plunges into the Rillito. January 9, 1993.
Floods of 1993
3 of 3 pics- Shed is finally swept away by rolling water of Rillito- along with a big chunk of yard- while its owners watch from a safe distance. January 9, 1993.
Floods of 1993
Runoff from Coolidge Dam cuts into this central ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ feed lot yesterday afternoon after water was released from San Carlos Lake. January 9, 1993.
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