Classes canceled, train horns malfunctioning due to winter weather in Flagstaff. Here’s how much snow to expect.

PHOENIX — A winter storm warning goes into effect in Flagstaff at 5 a.m. on Wednesday with heavy and blowing snow expected. 

Classes are canceled in the Flagstaff Unified School District for Wednesday, including before and after school activities and food service, the district announced on social media. Williams Unified School District #2 will also be closed on Feb. 18 due to the storm.

The frozen snow is also causing senors to malfunction for the local wayside horn system, resulting in trains blowing their locomotive horn when passing railroad crossings in Flagstaff.

Here’s what you should know.

The second in a series of Pacific storm systems will swing through Arizona on Wednesday, producing another round of snow across portions of the High Country.

Snow levels will be a little lower than Tuesday’s system and with the colder air already in place, you can expect higher overall snow accumulations.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the Kaibab Plateau (North Rim of the Grand Canyon) and the Mogollon Rim from Flagstaff to the White Mountains.

Look for the snow to increase in intensity and coverage on Wednesday morning between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m. in the Flagstaff area.  Farther east along The Rim and into the White Mountains, the heavier snow moves in later Wednesday afternoon (1 p.m. to 5 p.m.).  

Forecast snowfall amounts for Wednesday’s round of winter weather:

Arizona Snowbowl: 8 to 12″

Pine-Strawberry:  4 to 6″

Heber-Overgaard:  1 to 2″

In addition to the snow, strong, gusty winds will blast northern Arizona.  Gusts approaching 50 mph will whip the fresh snow around the Flagstaff area, making for dangerous travel conditions.  Across Northeastern Arizona, wind gusts could top 60 mph in places like Snowflake, Springerville, Tuba City, Winslow, Holbrook, and St. Johns.

The third and final round of wintry weather this week sweeps across Arizona late Thursday night into Friday, bringing additional snow to the High Country.  Our initial estimates show another 12 to 16″ for the Arizona Snowbowl and 4 to 8″ for Flagstaff.  Keep checking back on-air and online for updates to this changing, dynamic weather setup across our state.