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Snow in Vail

The National Weather Service issued a Snow Advisory for the area in effect until 5 p.m. Monday. The advisory says snow will fall as low as 2,500 feet with one to two inches expected in Tucson. Much of the city is at about 2,500 feet in elevation.

Higher elevations can expect a foot or more. A heavy snow warning was in effect for Cochise County and other areas east of Tucson.

"Slow down. Be cautious. The roads will be icy. Leave plenty of room between you and the car in front of you," were the words of warning Sunday night from the Tucson Police Department. Sergeant Decio Hoppfer said people should consider leaving early for work Monday morning to make sure they get there safely.

Pima County Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Deputy Dawn Barkman said, "We're not used to these kinds of driving conditions. Everyone should be very careful and cautious if they have to drive tonight or Monday morning."

As the snow moved through the city, many people who rarely see the white stuff in Tucson were outside. Some built small snowmen. Others just watched the flakes fall in amazement.

"I love it. This is my first time seeing snow like this. It is crazy. I love it. It should snow like this more often," Banessa Cephus told Fox 11 as she enjoyed the site.

Frederick Impraim said, "I think it is fabulous. I've never seen snow in my country. I saw snow when I was coming to Denver, but never in Tucson."

And Marisela Sandoval said, "I am goiong to take my son out. I'll put some warm clothes on him and we are going to go play in the snow."

The NWS says the storm should move into northern Mexico on Monday and Tucson should be near 60 degrees by Friday.

The Pima County Sheriff's Department closed the highway up Mt. Lemmon to all but residents on Sunday afternoon. The PCSO had closed the road through Gates Pass as well.

It's not unusual to get snow in Tucson, but it's fairly rare to accumulate.

The National Weather Service in Tucson listed snow events as two of it's Top Ten weather events of the 20th Century. On November 16, 1958, 6.4 inches of snow fell causing auto accidents, stranded people, power lines to fall and caused problems at Tucson International Airport. Three people died when stranded in snow in Madera Canyon.

On December 7, 1971, 6.8 inches of snow fell after midnight. The heavy snow damaged or destroyed over 3,000 trees in the Tucson area, some of them over 20 years old. Slush on the runway at Tucson International closed it for five hours the next morning. The airport did not own a snow plow.