New year to start with below freezing weather

Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Herald: More winter weather is on the way with a hard freeze warning to welcome the new year.

Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Herald: More winter weather is on the way with a hard freeze warning to welcome the new year.

Possibility for snow throughout Graham and Greenlee counties

By Jon Johnson

jonjohnsonnews@gmail.com

GRAHAM AND GREENLEE COUNTIES – The new year is almost here and it is bringing with it wintery weather and the coldest lows. 

Photo By Sarah Rich: Van Rich, 4, of Chandler, enjoys the snow on Mount Graham.

The National Weather Service is predicting a low of just 8 degrees for Safford on Wednesday, with Clifton checking in at 11 degrees and Willcox at 10 degrees. 

That is due to a winter storm that is expected to spread rain and snow across the region late Monday night into Tuesday, with a snow level in the 2,500-foot range. 

After the storm, a cold air mass is expected to settle, resulting in a a hard freeze warning Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. People should take adequate precautions for exposed water pipes, cover plants, and take care of outside animals. 

While the winter weather is dangerous, it can also be fun and anyone who would like to share pictures of snow should send them to jonjohnsonnews@gmail.com to be included in an upcoming photo album.