Clear skies but cool temps this weekend
by Sheryl Kornman on Dec. 27, 2008, under LocalCitizen Staff Writer
SHERYL KORNMAN
skornman@tucsoncitizen.com
Sunny skies are predicted Saturday through Tuesday with higher temperatures that could open the Catalina Highway up Mount Lemmon to skiers.
Tucsonans could not ski at Ski Valley on Friday because the road remained closed at the base of the mountain to all but residents and those who work there.
Vehicles needed chains or four-wheel drive to be permitted on the road, according to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.
The road was closed Friday after snow and gusty winds toppled trees and shut off power to most of the residents and businesses on Mount Lemmon.
Power was restored by midafternoon Friday.
The National Weather Service in Tucson said the Friday night low in the Tucson area will be 29 degrees.
That means Operation Deep Freeze, which provides shelter to the homeless during freezing weather, will be in effect Friday evening.
Rain is expected to continue through the evening and taper off overnight.
Heavy snow was accumulating in areas above 3,000 feet Friday. Gusty winds accompanied the snow.
Forecasts are for mostly sunny skies with temperatures in the mid-40s during the day Saturday.
Sunday’s high should be in the mid-50s.
There were no reports of anyone harmed as a result of Friday’s power outage on Mount Lemmon.
Ron Brown, manager of electric operations for Trico Electric Corp., which supplies power on the mountain, said the company has 430 customers on Mount Lemmon, including the TV and radio stations that have broadcast towers there.
ROAD INFORMATION
Planning to go up to Mount Lemmon to play in the snow?
Call the Pima County Sheriff’s Department’s road condition line at 547-7510 for the latest road conditions and to find out if the road is open.
For Mount Lemmon Ski Valley call 576-1321 or for snow conditions call 576-1400.
