Arizona Department of Transportation

This week’s winter storms will likely have many desert dwellers heading to the high country to toss snowballs, make snow angels, sled, etc., etc. Have a great time if you’re among them, but leave prepared to spend extended time in frigid conditions and pack a fully charged cellphone and other safety essentials.  

State Route 260 is closed at milepost 256 east of Payson, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. 

The closure is due to severe winter weather conditions. There is no estimated reopening time.

Recent wet weather has created potentially hazardous driving conditions on many Kaibab National Forest roads, and motorists are urged to plan ahead and exercise caution when visiting.

While Kaibab National Forest roads remain open, motorists should be aware that they could encounter a range of conditions and should prepare accordingly. On the Williams and Tusayan districts of the forest south of the Grand Canyon, rain received yesterday on top of already melting snow from last week's storm has caused roads to become slushy, icy, and, in some cases, temporarily impassable.

The U.S.

With merciless temperatures forecast over the coming days, be sure you and your vehicle are prepared before traveling on highways in the Arizona desert.

Motorists should always be ready for the possibility of becoming stranded, but that need is even more critical in extreme heat.

Be a safe driver during Arizona's summer travel season. Check your vehicle, including tire pressure, ahead of your trip. Be patient, obey speed limits, buckle up and never drive while impaired. Arrange for a designated driver or ride service. Be prepared for unscheduled closures or delays by packing extra water, snack foods and a kit with other emergency supplies, including a flashlight, prescription medications and fully charged cell phone.

The Woodbury Fire has closed portions of state routes 88 and 188 near Roosevelt Lake, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. SR 88 is closed from milepost 213 at Tortilla Flat to SR 188 at Roosevelt. Also, SR 188 is closed from SR 88 just west of Roosevelt at milepost 244 to SR 288.

There is no estimated time to reopen either highway. 

While there’s plenty of snow in the high country thanks to this week’s powerful storm, drivers should resist the temptation to park along state highways to play in it, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety and Arizona Department of Transportation.

Highway shoulders are for emergencies only. By law, you must exit highways and park in designated areas beyond the highway right of way before building that snowman.

Multiple stretches of Arizona’s highways were closed as of Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 21, due to a powerful winter storm whose fury continues across much of the state.

With the heavy weather expected to last into Friday and snow forecast to extend into southeastern Arizona overnight, the safest option remains delaying travel to and through higher elevations until the Arizona Department of Transportation’s plows have cleared highways of snow and ice. Motorists in lower elevations may see some snow along with considerable rainfall.

With a long weekend at hand and snow in the forecast, those heading to Arizona’s high country should leave prepared for extended time in winter weather and for the possibility of delays around popular snow-play areas such as US 180 northwest of Flagstaff.