Arizona

Winter is coming, Arizona. Here’s what NOAA, AccuWeather, almanac are predicting

Published

4 weeks ago

October 21, 2025

Press Room

Winter is coming, Arizona. Here’s what NOAA, AccuWeather, almanac are predicting

NOAA predicts a warm and dry winter for Arizona during the 2025-2026 season.
AccuWeather forecasts historically higher temperatures and a dry season, with potential for late-season rainfall in January.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac anticipates a warm winter but with rain and above-average mountain snow in some areas.

Winter starts Dec. 21, and as those colder months creep closer, Arizonans want to know what they should anticipate.

Before you start breaking out your sweaters and making your northern Arizona ski trip plans, you need to know what this winter has in store.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac, AccuWeather and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have released their predictions for what the following winter months should bring, including snowfall, rain and temperatures.

To best understand what Arizona weather should bring for this winter season, 2025 to 2026, here’s everything to know about the Old Farmer’s Almanac, AccuWeather and the NOAA predictions.

When is the first day of winter 2025?

Winter starts on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025.

NOAA predicts winter will be dry and warm

NOAA predicts that most of Arizona will be 60-70% above normal temperatures for the months of November, and December. Although the southwest corner of Arizona shows it will be 40-50% above normal temperatures.

For the months of January, February and March, central and southern Arizona shows the temperature would be 40-50% above normal, while northern parts of Arizona would be 33-40% above normal temperatures.

For the months of November and December, precipitation for the western half of the state was expected to be 33-40% lower than usual according to NOAA. While the eastern part of Arizona similarly shows a 40-50% lower than normal precipitation prediction.

January, February, and March precipitation predictions remain similar, with the central and southern parts of Arizona having 40-50% lower-than-normal precipitation and the northern part predicted to have 33-40% lower-than-normal precipitation, according to NOAA.

This will make for a dry winter with little snow due to the lack of moisture in the air and warm temperatures.

AccuWeather predicts a warmer winter with late season rainfall

The Southwest’s temperatures should run historically higher than usual due to warmth in the Pacific Ocean. According to AccuWeather’s map, central and southern Arizona’s temperatures will run at about three degrees or more above average based on historical temperatures in this region.

The warmth from the Southwest will also create a drier-than-usual season with precipitation expected to be 50-74% lower than usual, making out-of-season wildfires possible, according to AccuWeather.

Yet, January will most likely bring rainfall for the Southwest. However, come February, Arizona will return to being warm and dry, potentially bringing near-record temperature highs for February.

Lower than average snow was also expected in northern Arizona, according to AccuWeather. However, an early burst of winter storms was expected, with a lull of snow in the mid-winter season, then a resurgence in the late months of winter.

Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts warm winter with rain, snow in mountains

Phoenix and Tucson should expect warmer winter weather. The coldest temperatures were expected mid-November to early January, according to the almanac, with rain and mountain snow hitting various areas.

High elevation areas should prepare for snow in early December and January.

Snowfall was predicted to be above average in eastern parts of the desert Southwest region such as Show Low, with the snowiest periods being early December to mid-January, according to the almanac.

Flagstaff also should expect above normal snowfall and temperatures, and slightly-above-normal precipitation. According to the almanac the snowiest periods were set for late January to late March.

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Arizona

Homes for Heroes program announces 4 grant winners

Published

9 hours ago

November 19, 2025

Press Room

Homes for Heroes program announces 4 grant winners

PHOENIX — Four organizations were honored with grants from the Homes for Heroes program that assists veterans with transitional housing, health care and more.

The winners of the grants, which total $750,000, were announced by Gov. Katie Hobbs and the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services on Tuesday.

Three grants for $200,000 were issued to Axiom Community of Recovery, U.S. Vets – Prescott and Esperanza en Escalante.

Scottsdale Recovery Center was awarded a grant for $150,000.

“By creating pathways to housing for our veterans, we are helping them realize the opportunity, security and freedom that underpin the Arizona Promise,” Hobbs said. “Working hand in hand with community organizations, we are committed to realizing our goal of ending veteran homelessness in Arizona.”

“Our veterans have sacrificed so much for our country,” ADVS Director John Scott said. “We owe it to them to ensure they have a safe place to sleep, and the support they need to rebuild their lives. With these new investments, we are taking meaningful steps toward that goal.”

What will the organizations do with the grant money?

Axiom is planning to create 30 new transitional housing beds and provide more detox services for veterans in crisis.

The Scottsdale Recovery Center is also adding transitional housing beds and detox services, in addition to pet boarding.

Services in northern Arizona will increase drastically with the U.S. Vets – Prescott organization providing 100 new housing plans at the Fort Whipple campus set to open in Jan. 2026.

The Tucson-based Esperanza en Escalante will offer 32 veterans emergency housing, detox and pet boarding services in southern Arizona.

The grant program includes $750,000 to help veterans with substance use disorders, mental health conditions and other challenges from military service that increase the risk of homelessness and an additional $500,000 grant to coordinate efforts to reduce homelessness.

In total, $2 million worth of grant financing is dedicated to helping military veterans.

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Arizona

Baylor football expert previews the Arizona game, makes a score prediction

Published

1 day ago

November 18, 2025

Press Room

Baylor football expert previews the Arizona game, makes a score prediction

Another week, another unfamiliar foe for Arizona football. So it goes in a new conference.

Baylor has never been on the UA schedule before, their only meeting coming in the 1992 Sun Bowl, with the Bears winning 20-15. Ironically, the Wildcats could be headed back to El Paso next month based on the latest bowl projections.

The 2025 Bears are 5-5 overall and 3-4 in the Big 12 after losing 55-28 at home to No. 13 Utah. That was their third home loss this season and they’ve also dropped their last two road games.

To better understand Baylor, we reached out to Garrett Ross of 247Sports’ Bears Illustrated for some insight and a score prediction. Below are his vigorous answers to our lethargic questions:

AZ Desert Swarm: Baylor has dropped three of four since a 4-2 start. What has gone wrong lately, and can things be fixed in time to avoid missing out on a bowl?

Garrett Ross: “Everything that could go wrong with a program has gone wrong for Baylor this season. During that stretch, Baylor has fired their offensive line coach due to an incident in practice, the fanbase has completely bailed on head coach Dave Aranda, and AD Mack Rhoades was caught up in an incident with tight end Michael Trigg and a separate scandal that forced him to step down as CFP committee chair and be placed on administrative leave with no likelihood hood of returning. It’s going to be difficult to salvage the season with all of the distractions and uncertainty surrounding the future of the athletic department, but Aranda should be the coach for the remainder of the season.”

Sawyer Robertson leads the Big 12 in passing, both in yards and touchdowns. The Bears also have the league’s leading receiver in Josh Cameron and three other guys with at least 500 yards. How do you think they will try to exploit one of the top pass defenses in the country?

“Baylor’s offense is the most effective when they get Michael Trigg involved early and often. TCU and Utah did an excellent job of eliminating Trigg and making the Bears rely on their other targets to carry the load. Josh Cameron is really good, but he’s not the type of player who can completely take over a game. Ashtyn Hawkins will be unavailable for the first half following a fight against Utah where he was ejected. Kobe Prentice didn’t play last week, but he’s a walking touchdown, while Kole Wilson can be effective when he’s focused.

“If Baylor has any hope of upsetting Arizona, they have to get the ball to Trigg.”

The most effective teams against Arizona are the ones who can run the ball, particularly with the quarterback being involved. Is Baylor’s run game good enough to keep the Wildcats honest?

“Baylor’s rushing attack has been limited with injuries and constantly having to play from behind. Bryson Washington looked like he was set for a breakout game against Utah, but the Bears got behind and abandoned the run. Sawyer Robertson will run if needed, but he prefers to be a pocket passer. Freshman duo Caden Knighten and Michael Turner have proven that they can make plays when needed, but Knighten has just one 100-yard game this season.

Utah ran for 380 yards last week and all but one Big 12 opponents has scored at least 27 points. What has caused Baylor’s defense to struggle so much?

“It’s honestly a lack of talent and execution when needed. The defensive line is weak and struggles to create any pressure, while getting bullied by opposing offensive lines. Outside of Keaton Thomas, the linebackers are irrelevant.

“The secondary has a history of getting burnt and their most effective player is former walk-on Jacob Redding. Two of Baylor’s best players (Redding, Josh Cameron) are former walk-ons, you can’t compete for championships like that, especially in the transfer portal and NIL era.”

Dave Aranda’s name has been mentioned on plenty of ‘hot seat’ lists, and there’s a possibility of a third losing season in the last four. What does the fanbase think of him, and do you think his job is on the line these last few weeks?

“The fans have been out on Aranda for a couple of seasons now, but it’s officially over at this point. He’s made multiple staff changes and adjustments to his approach, but it’s just not working. Aranda is a tremendous person and the team absolutely loves him, but it’s a billion-dollar entertainment business now, and nothing is entertaining about Baylor football. I personally believe he finishes out the season and rides off into the sunset with a nice check.”

Prediction time. Does Baylor become bowl eligible and spoil Arizona’s Senior Day or do the Wildcats stay hot and win their fourth straight? Give us a score pick.

“I think Baylor makes it interesting for about a half, but Arizona finds a way to run all over the Bears and capitalize on a couple of turnovers while winning 42-31.”

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