PHOENIX (AP/CBS5) -
Snow fell in the Valley late Monday afternoon thanks to a cold storm system that kept a tight lid on temperatures.
Snow fell at a pretty good clip for a brief time in north Scottsdale along Cave Creek road near the turnoff to Bartlett Dam. It didn't stick since surface readings were in the 40s.
There were other reports of frozen precipitation, including snow pellets, or graupel, in other parts of the Valley. Spotty rain was also falling in some localities.
The Department of Public Safety is warning travelers that some parts of northern Arizona's high country could see nearly a foot of new snow and freezing temperatures.
The snow is expected to start accumulating Monday night. It will likely last into Tuesday.
The highways could get slippery and traffic is expected to be moving slowly in the morning hours.
CBS 5 Chief Meteorologist Chris Dunn said the high country/Rim/White Mountains will continue to see pockets of snow showers through Monday evening. In the higher locations above 5,000 feet, up to 8 inches of new snow could fall. Below 5,000 feet, accumulations could be anywhere from 1 to 4 inches of fresh snow.
Freeze warning is in effect for Tuesday and Wednesday mornings for those parts of northern Pinal County that typically get a little colder than everyplace else - Florence, Casa Grande, Apache Junction, Maricopa to name a few.
The Department of Public Safety said it will be shifting resources to make more highway patrolmen available to respond to emergency calls.
On Monday, Highway 89A between Sedona and Interstate 17 was reopened after being closed Sunday night and early Monday due to heavy snow and ice on the pavement.
The Department of Transportation says it had nearly 80 snowplows working to clear northern Arizona highways.
Mid to upper 30s will be common for morning low temperatures in many areas of the Valley through midweek.
Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. CBS 5 (KPHO Broadcasting Corporation) contributed to this report.
Viewer Cheryl Ford, of Show Low, submitted this photo of her dog, Lady GaGa, in her "snowsuit."
Robert Withers sent in this photo of hail in El Mirage.
The slushy scene in Wickenburg from viewer Deborah Eachus.
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