Freezing Temps Could Be In Store For Phoenix Area In The New Year

PHOENIX, AZ — It's looking to be a chilly, wet new year in the Phoenix area, according to the National Weather Service.

The best chances of rain this week are Tuesday afternoon into the evening and New Year's Eve, the weather service predicted in its forecast.

Precipitation of a quarter of an inch or less is expected in Phoenix Tuesday, with the possibility of a half-inch to 1.5 inches in the higher terrain north and east of Phoenix, the weather service said in an email.

The heaviest rain this week in the Phoenix area is expected on New Year's Eve, with a 20 percent chance of thunderstorms in the area on New Year's Day.

A strong cold front is expected to push through the area Saturday, driving temperatures lower, with the possibility of widespread freezing early Sunday morning, including in the Phoenix metro area.

Leading up to the holiday, highs in the Phoenix area are expected to be in the low 60s, with lows in the 40s. But on Saturday, the high is expected to be 55 with an overnight low of 35 degrees, or possibly colder.

In the high terrain of northeast Maricopa County, snow will be possible above 4,500 feet Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. A winter weather advisory was issued for higher elevations, with the possibility of 7 inches of accumulation.

There is also a possibility of snow above 6,500 feet in the high country, with the first hard freeze expected Sunday morning.