Journey, visitors updates for New 12 months’s weekend
Journey and climate updates from throughout the state all through the vacation weekend.
7 pm Sunday: Winter situations shut down quite a few roads
The Arizona Division of Transportation warned drivers that winter situations shut down a plethora of roads throughout the state. The closures embody:
- Eastbound State Route 260 at milepost 256 – about 4 miles from Payson
- Eastbound I-40 at milepost 146 (close to SR 89 in Ash Fork)
- SR 64 close to the Grand Canyon (between mileposts 242-269)
- Northbound I-17 close to SR 179
- Southbound SR 89A at milepost 399 (close to I-17)
- Northbound SR 89A at milepost 375
- Westbound I-40 at milepost 252 in Winslow
- Southbound SR 87 at milepost 340
ADOT mentioned snow plows had been working “across the clock” to clear affected roads and suggested drivers to remain a minimum of 4 automotive lengths away behind one and by no means try to cross. Vacationers can verify up to date highway situations at az511.gov.
1:15 pm Sunday: Nationwide Climate Service warns folks to take shelter amid attainable hail and excessive winds; SR 87 and 64 closed in each instructions
The Nationwide Climate Service’s Phoenix workplace urged folks within the northwestern a part of the Valley to take shelter as 50 mph winds and doubtlessly pea-sized hail will seemingly pelt the world till 3 pm The warning utilized to Phoenix, Glendale and Peoria — as much as close to Wickenburg and previous Anthem.
The Arizona Division of Transportation additionally warned drivers across the identical time that State Route 87 was closed in each instructions as a consequence of “winter-weather situations” north of Payson and really helpful they postpone journey till situations enhance.
The Grand Canyon Nationwide Park Service additionally tweeted that hazardous climate situations shut down State Route 64 in each instructions alongside Hermit Street and that roughly two inches of snow had gathered alongside the South Rim as of two:15 pm
11:45 am Sunday: Winter Climate Advisory stays in impact at Mt. Lemmons
The Nationwide Climate Service tweeted {that a} Winter Climate Advisory for mountainous areas in southern Arizona stays in impact via Monday morning, with storms presumably bringing as much as 12 inches of snow to the world.
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Workplace is asking the general public to make use of the non-emergency line to report fireworks violations as an alternative of calling 911.
Via a Twitter postthe Sheriff’s Workplace inspired folks to name the non-emergency line at 602-876-1011.
The Sheriff’s Workplace mentioned an inflow of 911 requires fireworks may delay responses for anybody coping with an actual emergency.
In the meantime, for residents who personal a pet, the Arizona Humane Society encourages homeowners to keep away from fireworks trauma by staying conscious of their animal’s whereabouts always and never leaving them unattended outdoors.
The Humane Society additionally really helpful that homeowners maintain their pets away from fireworks shows and distract them from loud noises by turning on the radio or TV. The group presents an entire listing of pet security suggestions.
2:30 pm Saturday: Authorities remind residents that celebratory gunshots are unlawful
With time winding down till new 12 months’s celebrations, authorities in Arizona are reminding residents that it’s unlawful to shoot a gun into the air.
Each Phoenix Police and Peoria Police tweeted reminders Saturday that capturing a gun into the air is a Class 6 felony.
This restriction is because of a state regulation referred to as “Shannon’s Regulation.” In 2000, Arizona lawmakers made it unlawful to negligently hearth a weapon inside a municipality after a 14-year-old woman, Shannon Smith, was killed by a stray bullet a 12 months earlier.
The Arizona Republic reported in 2019 that authorities have gone door-to-door to coach residents about Shannon’s Regulation forward of the vacations when a celebratory gunfire would possibly happen.
Those that violate the regulation may face a presumptive time period of 1 12 months in jail or an aggravated time period of two years in jail.
1 pm Saturday: 12 months ends with one other excessive air pollution advisory
The Maricopa County Air High quality Division has issued a excessive air pollution advisory for Saturday as mud and smoke climb to unhealthy ranges throughout Phoenix.
The advisory means a tire on leaf-blowers and different landscaping tools, in addition to off-road car journey. It additionally means Saturday is a no-burn day. Residents shouldn’t begin wooden fires in fireplaces, chimeneas or open pits.
Excessive mud and smoke ranges create severe well being dangers for folks with bronchial asthma, COPD and different respiratory illnesses. The smallest mud particles can invade the lungs and even get into the bloodstream. Fireworks and firecrackers usually enhance the focus of smoke.
The county presents extra info right here.
A winter storm shifting via late Saturday and Sunday may assist enhance air high quality.
Midday Saturday: Fog, rain and snow in Flagstaff
For those who’re heading north to ring within the new 12 months, costume heat and put together for presumably hazardous driving situations as one other winter storm sweeps throughout Arizona.
The Nationwide Climate Service reported fog round Flagstaff Saturday morning and the Arizona Division of Transportation posted photographs of rain blended with snow on the Coconino County freeways.
The climate service has posted a winter storm warning for areas above the Mogollon Rim beginning early Sunday, with areas of heavy snow forecast above 6,000 ft. The warning mentioned journey may turn into tough to unattainable and blowing snow may scale back visibility to close zero at instances.
An opportunity of showers will linger all day Saturday, with highs in Flagstaff barely reaching 40 levels. Snow is anticipated to extend after midnight, ushering within the new 12 months.
8 pm Friday: Loop 303 to be closed via January
Freeway development will trigger closures on westbound stretches of Loop 303 beginning subsequent weekend, the Arizona Division of Transportation introduced Tuesday.
The primary closure will take impact 4 am Jan. 7 to 11 pm Jan. 8 between Interstate 17 and Lake Nice Parkway, in accordance with ADOT.
Drivers ought to use alternate routes together with westbound State Route 74 to southbound Lake Nice to hook up with 303 previous the closure, ADOT mentioned.
A portion of 303 will even shut 8 pm Jan. 13 to five am Jan. 16 westbound between I-17 and Lake Nice, in accordance with ADOT.
The I-17 off-ramps on Loop 303 will likely be restricted to eastbound Sonoran Desert Drive, whereas the highway’s westbound entry on Sonoran Desert to northbound and southbound I-17 on-ramps will stay open, the division mentioned.
ADOT additionally mentioned there will likely be intermittent rolling closures on Loop 303 between I-17 and Lake Nice throughout weekdays between 9 am-11 am and seven pm-9 pm via the top of January.
— Jose R. Gonzalez
11 a.m. Friday: The Oak Hill Snow Play Space close to Williams is closed
The Kaibab Nationwide Forest Service tweeted Friday morning that the Oak Hill Snow Play Space, a leisure website about 14 minutes outdoors of Williams, is closed for public security.
They mentioned work was being carried out to “scale back hazardous fuels and mitigate wildfire threat.”
Different areas of the forest are open for winter recreation. For extra info, go to the Forest Service’s website online.
— Ellie Willard
11 am Friday: Intersection of Cooper and Elliot roads closed in Gilbert
On Friday morning, the Gilbert Police Division tweeted that the intersection of North Cooper and West Elliot roads in Gilbert will likely be closed till the top of the 12 months.
“All visitors will likely be diverted to the closest visitors sign in all instructions. Please use alternate routes whereas within the space this weekend,” Gilbert police tweeted.
The division introduced the closure simply after 6 am citing flooding as a consequence of a water leak
— Ellie Willard
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10:10 am Friday: Hermit Street close to Grand Canyon closed, State Route 64 open
The Grand Canyon Nationwide park introduced that Desert View Drive (State Route 64) between Grand Canyon Village and Desert View reopened after being closed a lot of the early morning. Nevertheless, Hermit Street stays closed.
In accordance with Grand Canyon Nationwide Park, Desert View Drive will shut throughout and after snowstorms.
The nationwide park says “throughout winter storms, vacationers ought to anticipate winter driving situations and a few roadways could also be briefly closed whereas snow is cleared. Be ready for slippery, snow lined roads and restricted visibility. Drive with care. Throughout the winter, highway situations can change quickly.”
Vacationers can name 928-638-7496 for recorded updates.
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5:00 PM – MCSO urges residents to make use of non-emergency line to report fireworks violations
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Workplace has urged the general public to make use of their non-emergency line to report fireworks violations as an alternative of calling 911.
Through a Twitter publish, the MCSO inspired folks to name their non-emergency line at (602)-876-1011.
The sheriff’s workplace mentioned that an inflow of 911 requires fireworks may delay responses for anybody coping with an actual emergency.
For any residents who personal a pet, the Arizona Humane Society has inspired homeowners to keep away from fireworks by staying conscious of their animal’s whereabouts always and never leaving them unattended outdoors.
The Humane Society additionally really helpful that homeowners maintain their pets away from fireworks shows and distract them from loud noises by turning on the radio or TV. An entire listing of pet security suggestions will be discovered right here: https://www.azhumane.org/information/keep-pets-safe-while-ringing-in-the-new-year/
