Top-of-the-World was the area’s top winner in the snowfall category during the Feb. 20-22 winter storm, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Phoenix.

“We received reports from storm spotters and the general public that some places in the area received more than 10 inches,” Meteorologist Andrew Deemer said. “Specifically, Top-of-the-World had a 15-inch report, by far the biggest winner we saw.”

The NWS Phoenix office received a report of 11 inches of snow off Ranch Creek Road south of Globe, off Highway 77, while the Buffalo Hill/Copper Ranch area reported 10 inches of snow, he told the Silver Belt.

Deemer said that in Globe, close to downtown, there was a report of 3.2 inches of snow.

“Based on other photographs, I think it is safe to say the main part of Globe (downtown) saw two to four inches,” he said.

As for the Miami area, eight inches of snow were reported west of Miami on Highway 60, Deemer said.

As for the San Carlos area, Deemer said that, after studying the satellite for areas where the snow fell, “it doesn’t look like San Carlos saw much, if any. They are at a lower elevation and were fairly warm into the low 40s on Thursday (Feb. 21).”

As to Superior, while the NWS in Phoenix doesn’t have the official numbers, Deemer said that he saw photos of snow in Superior.

“They probably saw a dusting to about an inch in the town itself,” he said. “Unfortunately, our report network in Gila County is sparse.”

For those interested in becoming a weather spotter, the NWS Phoenix Skywarn Spotter Program plans to hold a training course in the Globe area in March or April. Go to www.wrh.noaa.gov for further information.

Snowfall is often determined by elevation, he said.

“The places that received the most snow — and where the moisture plume seemed to stay for a long period of time — stretched from northeastern Maricopa County north into the Payson area,” Deemer said. “No doubt, the higher elevations in the Globe area received higher amounts primarily due to their elevation, such as the Pinal Mountains, but also at those reported locations.”

Asked if the winter storm was typical or atypical, Deemer replied, “I can assure you this event is atypical,” even while describing all the rain storms in October 2018 through this winter as “a very active weather time.”

“The mountains in and around Globe and Gila County, in general, often do see snow — sometimes quite a bit of it,” said Deemer, adding that “even Globe can see some snow.”

“What I think makes this event so unique is the higher amount of snow across a large portion of the state,” he said.

Referring specifically to the Globe area, Deemer described seeing 10 to 15 inches of snow “from one storm is also rare.”

On a practical level, the area’s “atypical” snowfall caused area agencies to spring into action.

On Thursday, Feb. 21, Gila County Emergency Management activated its Emergency Operations Center (EOC), taking calls to answer questions or concerns from residents or visitors and recommending that everyone be “prepared for power outages before the power goes out.”

The EOC also passed along advice from first responders that residents “prepare and plan to be self-sufficient for 72 hours in an emergency situation.”

Area schools, including the Globe and Miami School Districts, released students early Thursday afternoon.

While some non-emergency Gila County and City of Globe offices were closed Friday due to the weather, emergency personnel were still at work.

On Friday, Feb. 22, Gila County EOC opened temporary warming shelters in Miami, Payson and Pine-Strawberry for anyone needing “shelter, safety and warmth” during the winter storm.

The same day, the Arizona Department of Public Safety closed Highway 60 between Miami and Superior due to white out conditions, and the day before it was closed due to accidents.

State Route 288, from SR 188 to Young (mileposts 252 to 312), was also closed on Friday.

On Wednesday, Feb. 20, The Copper Hen Restaurant in downtown Globe announced that it would offer free coffee and soup to any homeless or needy persons Thursday and Friday.

Deemer said that there would be warmer temperatures in store for this week.