Tucson snow updates: Road to Mount Lemmon closed, some flights canceled

At around 11 a.m., Tucson International Airport reported 1.5 inches of snow — the most snow since Feb, 20, 2013, according to the National Weather Service. 

The City of Tucson has closed all parks and recreation fields for the remainder of Friday and Saturday. As well, A Mountain is closed but may reopen tomorrow, depending on the weather. People can monitor the Parks and Recreation Twitter and Facebook accounts for the most up-to-date changes.

While roads across the state are littered with crashes and road closures, the Tucson Rodeo will have no such complications. Rodeo officials say the show must go on, rain (snow) or shine. ProRodeo begins at 2 p.m. at the Tucson Rodeo Grounds.

Because of weather conditions, the road to Mount Lemmon is closed to everyone except emergency vehicles and snow crews. 

Snow at the Mount Lemmon visitor center Friday morning totaled more than 38 inches, according to the Pima County Sheriff's Department.

Interstate 10 eastbound at milepost 315, about 7 miles east of Benson, was temporarily closed due to multiple crashes in an area of heavy snow, transportation officials say.

It has since reopened, but the Arizona Department of Transportation recommends drivers delay highway travel near Tucson to Willcox until the storm passes.

Recreational sites in Coronado National Forest are temporarily closed.

The following roads and associated recreation site are closed: Madera Canyon Road on the Nogales Ranger District, Carr Canyon Road on the Sierra Vista Ranger District — closed for the rest of winter, Swift Trail up Mount Graham on the Safford Ranger District, and Mount Lemmon Highway on the Santa Catalina Ranger District.

These Pima County roads have also been closed due to weather: General Hitchcock Highway, Limberlost at the Agua Caliente Wash, Tanque Verde Loop Road at Tanque Verde Wash, Wentworth Road at Tanque Verde Creek, Overton at the Cañada del Oro Wash, and White House Canyon Road at Madera Canyon and Box Canyon roads.

Portions of Interstate 10 are seeing heavy snow, particularly between Tucson and Willcox, which can affect visibility. In areas of heavier snow, visibility is between a half- to a quarter-mile.

Widespread rain and snow covers the region, so motorists can expect a wet and icy commute. 

Flights out of Tucson International Airport are delayed and some are even canceled. Passengers should check with their airlines for updates.

Snow in Tucson should taper off by 2 p.m., but a winter storm warning is in effect for parts of southeast Arizona until 8 p.m. tonight. Snowfall is affecting northeastern Pima, southwestern Graham, northwestern Cochise and northeastern Santa Cruz counties.

High: 46

Low:28