December on the Arizona Trail brings sharp contrasts. Southern deserts see cool to mild days around 12–25°C with crisp nights near -2–10°C under changeable cloud and sun, with occasional light showers. With elevation and latitude, systems turn wetter and colder: rain becomes mixed precipitation and snow, daytime temperatures trend 0–15°C, and nights often drop below freezing. On high plateaus and rims, highs hover -5–10°C with severe nights down to about -20°C. Storms range from brief showers of 2–6 mm to prolonged events delivering 10–40 mm, producing sustained overcast between clearer breaks.
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From the Mexico border through Parker Canyon Lake, days generally reach 11–24°C with nights from -2 to 10°C. Skies vary between clear and overcast, with brief showers or flurries; isolated cells near Casa Blanca Canyon deliver heavier bursts around 14 mm. Around Canelo Pass, occasional rain up to 9 mm and light snow appear, while Apache Springs and Oak Tree Canyon see scattered drizzle or light rain up to 5 mm and 4 mm.
Past Lakes Road to the Gabe Zimmerman Trailhead and into Saguaro National Park, afternoons run 10–23°C and nights -4 to 11°C. Mostly overcast spells break for sun, with spotty showers of 2–4 mm near trailheads and a few heavier pulses around 13 mm in the park.
Climbing toward Redington Road and Gordon Hirabayashi Campground, lower elevations stay 12–20°C by day with cool nights near 0–7°C. Periods of cloud bring light to moderate rain of 2–16 mm. Higher up at Marshall Gulch, temperatures drop to 0–13°C with nights down to -8°C, and storms frequently fall as snow, sometimes totaling around 20 mm.
Across American Flag Ranch to Tiger Mine, weather turns mixed under changeable skies. Daytime highs vary 6–22°C with nights -3 to 9°C, and passing systems bring both rain and snow. Snow events can reach 19–25 mm, with occasional rain near 6–7 mm.
Near Freeman Road and the Kelvin-Riverside Bridge, cloudier stretches dominate. Mild afternoons of 12–24°C contrast with cool nights from -1 to 11°C. Showers range from brief drizzle to steadier periods around 4–13 mm.
Through Tonto National Forest, Picketpost Trailhead, Rogers Trough, and Vineyard Trailhead, days hover 9–22°C with nights -4 to 11°C. Skies often stay overcast, punctuated by clearer breaks. Rain is intermittent, peaking near 6–12 mm in the forest and at Picketpost, about 7 mm at Rogers, and up to 18 mm near Vineyard.
At Pigeon Spring, chilly days of 5–14°C and subfreezing nights accompany light snow or drizzle up to 3 mm. Sunflower sees the wettest spell in this stretch, with showers and mountain snow producing 10–29 mm and temperatures from 9–21°C by day, -1 to 9°C at night. Mount Peeley remains colder, with highs 3–13°C, lows -6 to 6°C, and mixed precipitation up to about 10 mm.
Around the Red Hills Trail Junction, conditions swing from clear breaks to strong winter storms; rain can reach roughly 41 mm and snow about 23 mm. Along the East Verde River, mixed rain and snow is common with totals up to 12 mm and temperatures 7–19°C by day, -3 to 7°C at night. At Pine Trailhead, colder air prevails with highs -1–17°C, lows -11–4°C, and periodic snow around 7 mm.
On the Mogollon Rim from FR 300 Trailhead and Highway 87 to Gooseberry Springs and Mayflower Spring, winter sets in. Daytime highs range from -5 to 16°C with frequent freezing nights between -16 and 3°C. Storms favor snow, with notable events of about 8 mm at FR 300, 21 mm near Highway 87, 15–12 mm around Gooseberry Springs, and roughly 14 mm at Mayflower.
Around Marshall Lake and the Cosnino Road Exit through Schultz Pass, Cedar Ranch, Moqui Stage Station, and Grandview Lookout Tower, cold conditions dominate under long cloudy stretches. Highs sit between -3 and 13°C, with bitter nights from -21 to -1°C. Snow falls frequently, peaking near 16 mm at Marshall Lake, around 29 mm by Cosnino, 5–7 mm near Schultz Pass and Cedar Ranch, about 6 mm at Moqui, and close to 11 mm around Grandview.
Crossing South and North Kaibab into the Kaibab National Forest and Telephone Hill before Orderville, temperatures stay wintry: highs -3 to 12°C and lows -14 to -1°C. Skies are often overcast with brief clear windows. Snow is recurrent, with notable totals near 12 mm at both rims, around 2 mm across the forest, 10–15 mm at Telephone Hill, and roughly 11 mm near Orderville.
From Winter Road to the Stateline Trailhead, the trail finishes cold and variable. Days reach -6 to 11°C, with very cold nights between -22 and 3°C. Light to moderate snow is typical, roughly 4 mm near Winter Road, while the terminus sees mixed precipitation events up to about 8 mm and occasional light snow near 3 mm.
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