Rare snow blankets desert southwest

It has been a crazy week in the southwest U.S. Two storm systems moved through, bringing snow to California, Nevada and Arizona. Imagine snow accumulation on palm trees, the beach and cacti. The snow took many by surprise, because it is such a rare sight.

On Friday, a Winter Storm Warning was in effect in southeast Arizona, near the border of Mexico. Tucson International Airport received 1.9 inches of snow, and this is only the third time the Tucson area has seen more than a trace of snow in the past 20 years.

Just north of Tucson, there is a town called Oracle in the higher elevation. Kids were sledding there Friday after 10 inches of snow fell! The higher elevations of Arizona are more accustomed to the snow, and receive an average of 2 inches during the winter months, so these kids had snow pants ready.

Flagstaff, AZ set a new snowfall record Thursday, receiving 35.9 inches of snow, the most they have ever seen in a single day.

Before the snow made it to Arizona, it first blanketed Las Vegas. They received a record of .5 inches of snow on Wednesday. This is only the third time Vegas has picked up more than a trace of snow in the past 20 years.

This same snowy system is now on its way to the Midwest. It will bring blizzard conditions to Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. For Michiana, we will just be seeing rain and strong wind.