FLAGSTAFF, AZ (AP) -
Public schools are closed in Flagstaff as a winter storm that moved into Arizona from California began dropping snow in higher elevations and rain elsewhere.
A National Weather Service forecasts released Wednesday morning predicts up to 6 inches of snow in Flagstaff and Prescott and up to 9 inches of snow in Payson on Wednesday.
The weather service says the winter storm warning for the Flagstaff region will be in effect from until 8 p.m. Wednesday.
A winter storm warning also has been issued for late Wednesday for the Sierra Vista area of southeastern Arizona.
The Phoenix metropolitan area is expected to get up to a half-inch of rain Wednesday with temperatures in the mid-50s, about 15 degrees below average for this time of year.
Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved.
