Monthly Archives: February 2018

Wind advisory today and winter weather advisory through tonight

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WILLIAMS – The National Weather Service has set a wind advisory today for after 11 a.m. which will blow in clouds leading to a winter weather advisory overnight. A southeast wind of 15 to 23-mph is expected with gusts to 34-mph. High winds will affect high-profile vehicles. The snow conditions may cause some drivers who will not slow down to slide-off, roll-over, collide or other wise cause problems on I-40, I-17 and highway 64 making first responders quite busy during the period. Call 511 or visit az511.gov for current road conditions.

Williams and Flagstaff have similar predictions with Williams expected to get slightly more snow and wind for the period. In Williams, less than one-inch of snow is expected during the day after 11 a.m. with 3 to 5-inches expected overnight.

A 30 percent chance of snow showers after 11am. Increasing clouds, with a high near 39. Breezy, with a south southeast wind 15 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than one-inch possible. Some thunder is possible during this snow storm. Temperature high will be around 39 with overnight low of 22-degrees.

On Wednesday there is a 40% chance of snow shower before 11 a.m. and conditions will turn to mostly cloudy after as this storm passes. New snow accumulations of less than an inch likely. High is expected to reach 36-degrees with 22-degrees overnight. Winds will be mild.

The outlook through next Monday is brighter with mostly sunny days and clear nights. Friday is expected to be partly cloudy and there is a small chance of now showers before 11 p.m. Saturday night. Highs will be in the mid to lower 40s with overnight lows around 27-degrees.

Lane closures on State Route 89 scheduled for tomorrow in Chino Valley postponed

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CHINO VALLEY – The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers that due to the weather forecast for the coming week, the planned lane closures on north- and southbound State Route 89 between E Road 1 S (milepost 327) and E Road 4 N (milepost 330) for pavement repair have been postponed.

Lane closures on State Route 89 begin tomorrow in Chino Valley

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CHINO VALLEY – The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers to plan for lane closures on north- and southbound State Route 89 between E Road 1 S (milepost 327) and E Road 4 N (milepost 330) for pavement repair.

Crack-seal work is scheduled to occur from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. beginning Tuesday, February 27, through Thursday, March 1. No Friday or weekend work is planned.

SR 89 will be narrowed to one lane in each direction while work is underway and the speed limit will be reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph. Drivers should proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down and watch for construction personnel and equipment.

Schedules are subject to change based on weather and other unforeseen factors. For more information, please call the ADOT Project Information Line at 855.712.8530 or email Projects@azdot.gov. For real-time highway conditions statewide, visit ADOT’s Traveler Information Site at www.az511.gov, follow ADOT on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) or call 511, except when driving.

Snow Fall Allows for Continuation of Pile Burns on Kaibab National Forest

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WILLIAMS – Recent snow storms have presented excellent conditions for crews to continue with fuels reduction efforts on both the Tusayan and Williams Ranger districts. Pile burns will carry on in various locations south of Williams and approximately 20 miles east of Tusayan near Russel Tank.

Operations could be extended well into next week with more snow being forecasted in the days ahead. Weather conditions are evaluated on a daily basis and burns only occur when conditions meet prescription parameters. Smoke dispersal is also a determining factor before decisions to ignite occur. Managers always strive to minimize impacts to rural developed areas.

One 46 acre unit adjacent to Buckskinner Park is scheduled for treatment and will be evaluated carefully due to its proximity to the City of Williams. This operation should be completed in one day. Smoke may be visible and light impacts may occur but are expected to be short in duration. Additional notifications will be made throughout the community prior to this area being treated.

Ignitions on approximately 96 acres of piles near Russel tank will commence the beginning of next week however no smoke impacts are anticipated due to the remote location east of Tusayan.All prescribed fires are subject to approval by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. For additional information on the Smoke Management Division and to view prescribed burn authorizations for any given day, visit www.azdeq.gov/programs/air-quality-programs/smoke-management

Notifications of upcoming prescribed fires are provided regularly throughout the year. This information can be found at the following sources:

· Fire Information Recorded Hotline: 928-635-8311
· Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF (Text ‘follow kaibabnf’ to 40404 to receive text messages.)
· Kaibab Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF
· Kaibab website “Recent News”: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab
· Kaibab South Zone Rx Fire: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5160/

With snow forecast, don’t get blindsided on highways

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PHOENIX – With snow forecast Friday in Arizona’s high country, please don’t take lightly the power and unpredictability of a winter storm as well as the potential for it to leave you stranded on a highway.

Arizona Department of Transportation snowplows will be out in force, but driving conditions are hazardous during winter weather. A highway can close suddenly if enough snow falls in a brief period or if there are crashes, slide-offs or both. That happened during Monday’s snowstorm, when northbound I-17 climbing out of the Verde Valley closed for several hours due to a serious crash.

The safest decision when snow falls is delaying travel until the storm passes and highways have been cleared. In addition to the obvious danger if your vehicle and others are stuck on or along a snow-covered highway, stranded vehicles also make clearing the roadway much more difficult and time-consuming for ADOT’s snowplows.

Before deciding whether and when to travel, check weather reports and get the latest highway conditions by visiting ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov, calling 511 or reviewing ADOT’s Twitter feed (@ArizonaDOT). When a freeway closure or other major traffic event occurs, our free app available at ADOTAlerts.com will send critical information directly to app users in affected areas – where possible, in advance of alternate routes.

If delaying travel isn’t possible, leave prepared for the possibility that you’ll spend extended time in winter conditions. Pack an emergency kit with items like extra blankets, warm clothes, food and water, cat litter or sand for traction, a first-aid kit and a fully charged cellphone.

Those looking to head up north this weekend to play in snow should remember that highway shoulders are for emergencies only. In addition to endangering you and your passengers, parking on a highway shoulder to play in the snow can distract other drivers and interfere with first responders who may need to use the shoulder.

Those heading to popular snow-play areas should be prepared to spend significant time on the road, as traffic at day’s end is often heavy on highways including US 180 northwest of Flagstaff. Locations of designated snow-play areas around Flagstaff are available at flagstaffarizona.org/winter or by calling 1-844-256-SNOW.

Slow down and drive for the conditions you’re in. Be sure to leave extra room between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you.

Give snowplows plenty of room to work. Avoid passing a plow until the driver pulls aside to let traffic by.

Winter weather advisory for tonight through Friday night

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WILLIAMS – A thin sheet of ice across Santa Fe dam reservoir and other area lakes show the effects of the winter temperatures Williams has experienced the last few days. Aftera winter of spring-like weather, temperatures have dropped and snow has moved in.

Tonight snow showers are likely after 11 p.m. with a low of 21 overnight. Winds of 16 to 20-mph are expected with gusts as high as 36. 1 to 2-inches of snow are possible.

Snow will continue Friday with a hight near 29. Winds of 11 to 16-mph could gust as high as 32. Chance of 1 to 3 inches of snow over Friday. The chance of snow before 11 p.m. with a new snow accumulation of a half-inch possible. The low is expected to be around 9-degrees, but a northwest wind of 6 to 9-mph may create a wind chill factor of -2.

Saturday the weather turns sunny, with a high near 34. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Sun is expected to reign until Monday night when the chance of snow begins to rise again.

Flagstaff can expect slightly higher winds and a couple more inches of snow.

Winter storm coming through

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WILLIAMS – Please be careful and slow down on the highways and freeways the next couple of days. High winds will likely affect high-profile vehicles and snow and rain will cause the roads to become icy overnight. Watch for snow plows on the highways and keep clear of them.

We are currently in a high wind advisory through Monday night. Today the winds are expected to reach 23-mph with gusts up to 41. On Washington’s Birthday, winds could reach 30-mph with gusts up to 48-mph. Winds will calm over Tuesday.

Rain and snow is expected to start tonight with less than an inch of accumulation. Snow will continue Monday with up to 3-inches possible. Another inch may be possible over Monday night.

Wednesday should be clear with a high near 36. Thursday is mostly sunny with a high near 40. Snow may come back in Thursday through Friday night.

MVD: Buying a vehicle? Check its history

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PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division cautions consumers to beware of potential fraud when buying a car.

“The best defense is to do your research,” says Ralene Whitmer, MVD Title and Registration Specialist. “This is especially true for people buying vehicles from individuals. The possibility for fraud exists and it’s wise for every consumer to thoroughly look into a vehicle’s history. Reputable dealers will always be willing to provide this information, and that same standard should be expected of anyone who sells a vehicle in a private sale.”

A vehicle’s title will include information about its origin and whether it’s been stolen, water-damaged, wrecked, destroyed, or suffered other damage. In addition, some titles will be stamped “Export Only”, which means they were purchased by a dealer from out-of-state or a foreign country and they cannot be legally sold in Arizona.

“The advice from the Motor Vehicle Division is to avoid buying cars in Arizona that are stamped ‘Export Only’”, Whitmer added. “Dealers or individuals who attempt to sell vehicles with an Export Only title stamp within Arizona are breaking the law. Those vehicles can only be sold where the dealer is actually licensed. We have seen problems with this in Arizona communities that border Mexico and other U.S. states.”

Customers can get more information about title, registration and tips on buying and selling vehicles at www.azdot.gov/mvd at the Vehicle Services section.

ADOT to host Small & Disadvantaged Business Transportation Expo

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PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation and partner agencies will hold an event Thursday, March 1, offering tips and tools to owners of small businesses and companies qualifying for the agency’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program.

The DBE & Small Business Transportation Expo, scheduled for 7 a.m. to noon at Glendale Civic Center, will allow attendees to learn about project opportunities, network with industry professionals and business owners and hear from transportation leaders including featured speaker ADOT Director John Halikowski. Also participating are the Phoenix Public Transit and Street Transportation departments, Valley Metro and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

ADOT’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program helps qualifying small businesses compete for contracts. The companies must be owned by individuals from socially and economically disadvantaged groups, including women and minorities.

“ADOT’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program is critical to helping to reduce barriers to entry and teaching DBEs and small businesses how to fish, thrive and survive in the transportation industry,” said Dr. Vivien Lattibeaudiere, ADOT’S Employee and Business Development Administrator. “With access to project opportunities, they can become a meaningful part of building the transportation infrastructure in our state.”

To register for this free event, visit adotdbeexpo.com.

Although the expo is geared toward Disadvantaged Business Enterprises and small businesses, it’s open to all businesses, public agencies, vendors and community partners with an interest in the transportation industry.

For more on the Expo or ADOT’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program, contact the ADOT Business Engagement and Compliance Office at 602.712.7761 or visit azdot.gov/dbe.

Summer ramada reservations available for County parks

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FLAGSTAFF – County Parks and Recreation will begin accepting summer ramada reservations on February 20, 2018. There are 11 ramadas at four County parks available for rent.

Ramadas are used to host parties, reunions and get-togethers. They are available for rent seven days a week, for half or full days. Reserving a ramada for a party or special occasion will guarantee space and ensure utilities are active.

Customers may reserve a ramada online by going to coconino.az.gov/parks/ramadas. People may also reserve them by going to the Parks and Recreation Administration office located at Fort Tuthill County Park, 2446 Fort Tuthill Loop, Flagstaff. Regular business hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Prices range from $46-$114 for ramada rentals. A staff member will follow up with a confirmation within one business day. For reservations less than 24 hours in advance or questions, please call the Administration office at (928) 679-8000.