Early snow on San Francisco peaks raises hopes for strong winter

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 17 Oct, 02:02 · Archive

Early snow has fallen on Arizona's San Francisco Peaks as forecasters expect a wet winter driven by El Niño.

Early snow has dusted the San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff, Arizona, and Arizona Snowbowl has turned on its snowmakers for the first time this season. Snow is holding on the west side of the mountain, while the sunnier south-facing side retains only a light dusting.

Forecasters expect a wet winter driven by a strong El Niño building in the Pacific. Residents welcome the prospect after two consecutive low-snow winters that damaged the local economy. Snow play activities including sledding and skiing bring almost $20 million to Flagstaff in an average year.

Local business owners are preparing for the season. Matt Schmidgall, owner of Ski Haus, a ski and snowboard rental shop, said the last two winters were difficult. 'It affects everybody,' he said. 'Tourism is going to be done if we don't have good snowfall.' Vanessa Miller, a Flagstaff resident of two decades, said the snow-covered peaks are welcome. 'It's exciting to know that we're going to get a good wet winter,' she said.

Early snow on San Francisco peaks raises hopes for strong winter — Image: KOLD

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How it is being reported

Early snow on the San Francisco peaks brings hope for a strong winterPeople are bracing for an extra wet winter because of a strong El Niño building in the Pacific.KOLD · 17 Oct, 01:08
Early snow on the San Francisco peaks brings hope for a strong winterPeople are bracing for an extra wet winter because of a strong El Niño building in the Pacific.Azfamily · 17 Oct, 01:08

In this story: San Francisco Peaks · Flagstaff · Arizona Snowbowl · Vanessa Miller · Matt Schmidgall · Ski Haus

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