A powerful winter storm moved across Arizona with strong winds ahead of the cold front, heavy rain and snow along and behind the cold front, and then heavy rain and snow showers as the cold pool aloft move across the state with the low center.  Up to four and half feet of snow fell in the Kachina Peaks north of Flagstaff.

High Wind in WESTERN MOGOLLON RIM, ARIZONA
From 17-MAR-12 08:47:00 to 17-MAR-12 08:47:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A spotter in the community of Parks reported a peak wind gust of 61 MPH.

High Wind in EASTERN MOGOLLON RIM, ARIZONA
From 17-MAR-12 14:40:00 to 17-MAR-12 17:45:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

The Mogollon Rim Airpark reported a peak wind gust of 62 MPH around 255 PM and Linden RAWS reported a peak wind gust of 61 MPH around 540 PM.

Heavy Snow in EASTERN MOGOLLON RIM, ARIZONA
From 18-MAR-12 03:00:00 to 18-MAR-12 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Eighteen inches of snow fell in Forest Lakes. Seven inches of snow fell 3 miles southeast of Linden and 8.5 inches of snow fell in Heber-Overgaard.

Heavy Snow in OAK CREEK AND SYCAMORE CANYONS, ARIZONA
From 17-MAR-12 22:00:00 to 18-MAR-12 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Sedona received 4 inches of snow at an elevation of about 4500 feet.

Heavy Snow in NORTHERN GILA COUNTY, ARIZONA
From 18-MAR-12 03:30:00 to 18-MAR-12 19:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Payson and Pine both received 7 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow in YAVAPAI COUNTY MOUNTAINS, ARIZONA
From 17-MAR-12 21:00:00 to 18-MAR-12 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

The Prescott area received 5 to 14 inches of snow depending on elevation. The City of Prescott is at about 5280 feet and the snow level started out above that level and then dropped through the night.  Ash Fork received 12 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow in WESTERN MOGOLLON RIM, ARIZONA
From 17-MAR-12 23:00:00 to 19-MAR-12 15:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Heavy to very heavy snow fell across the Western Mogollon Rim.  Areas around Flagstaff picked up 18 to 28 inches of snow.  A local ski resort reported an impressive 53 inches of snow above 9000 feet elevation. Northern Arizona University, Coconino Community College, and most other schools cancelled classes in the Flagstaff area.  A 200 mile section of Interstate 40 was closed in both directions between Kingman and Winslow.  A 42 mile section of northbound (up hill) Interstate 17 was closed from the Sedona exit to Flagstaff. The Coconino County Sheriff's search and rescue unit warned people of the avalanche danger in the San Fransisco Peaks.

Heavy Snow in WHITE MOUNTAINS, ARIZONA
From 18-MAR-12 00:45:00 to 19-MAR-12 03:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A weather spotter two miles north of McNary reported 12.5 inches of snow with this storm. Show Low received 9 inches of new snow.

Heavy Snow in YAVAPAI COUNTY VALLEYS AND BASINS, ARIZONA
From 17-MAR-12 23:00:00 to 18-MAR-12 18:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Chino Valley (4570 feet elevation) received 4 inches of snow. Wilhoit received 8 inches of snow at around 4500 feet elevation.