Friday 8:45 a.m. update: High winds, foot of snow due in Flagstaff Saturday

High winds along with up to a foot of snow are now in the forecast for Flagstaff on Saturday as the National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for much of northern Arizona.

Winds blowing 20 to 25 mph and gusting to 38 mph are predicted for Flagstaff Saturday as rain turns to all snow after 8 a.m. and continues through the evening.

The forecast calls for 8 to 12 inches of snow between 6,000 and 8,000 feet and 10 to 20 inches above 8,000 feet.

Christmas Day will start off with snow showers before skies start to clear. The high will reach only 27 degrees.

Thursday’s rain produced high water levels in Oak Creek that approached but did not exceed a minor flood stage. Water levels continue to be high Friday morning.

9:30 a.m. Thursday update: Flagstaff snow totals upped to 12 inches by Christmas morning

Flagstaff can now expect up to a foot of snow on the ground by Christmas morning.

The National Weather Service has upped its forecast from 6-8 inches to 8-12 inches. Williams is now likely to see accumulation of up to 18 inches.