PARKS, Ariz. — A winter storm swept across northern Arizona on Friday, causing significant disruptions and generating over a 15-mile (24-kilometer) traffic backup on Interstate 40.
As darkness fell, semitrucks and other vehicles faced a standstill on the westbound lanes of Interstate 40 between Flagstaff and Williams, with delays extending for hours.
This traffic jam was aggravated by heavy snowfall and a two-vehicle collision, according to Arizona Department of Public Safety officials.
Officials stated that adverse snow conditions hindered efforts to clear the road quickly.
While one injury was reported from the accident, no fatalities related to the storm have been noted.
This storm marks the largest snowfall event of the winter season thus far, arriving after a dry period that left areas like Flagstaff significantly below their average precipitation levels.
Snow accumulation varied, with lower elevations receiving a few inches and areas like Flagstaff and Munds Park surpassing a foot (30 centimeters) of snow, and more continued to fall.
Local ski resorts have highlighted the timing, suggesting that conditions are ripe for winter sports enthusiasts.
Various roadways experienced closures during the storm, including sections of Interstate 17 between Flagstaff and Phoenix.
The National Weather Service indicated that the storm is expected to shift eastward out of the state by Saturday.
