Web Producer: Taylor Higgins

 

TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - A winter storm watch is in effect for eastern Cochise County beginning late Monday night. 

 

The National Weather service has issued a winter storm watch for places below 5,000 feet in eastern Cochise County, which includes the Chiricahua, Dragoon, Mule, Huachuca and Santa Rita mountains. The watch area also includes the cities of Sierra Vista, Benson, Willcox, Bisbee and Canelo Hills. 

 

The watch will remain in effect from late Monday night through Tuesday morning. 

 

A winter storm watch means there is a potential for significant snow accumulations that may seriously impact travel, according to the National Weather Service. Gusty winds and blowing snow are also possible during a winter storm watch.

 

The NWS says one to three inches of snow could fall on places between 3,500 and 5,000 feet while three to six inches could fall in places above 5,000 feet. The bulk of snow is expected to occur south of I-10. 

 

Motorists should plan to use caution while driving Monday night and Tuesday morning as roads may be icy. Highways that may be especially impacted during the winter storm watch include Highway 80, between Douglas and Bisbee, Highway 80, from Douglas to the New Mexico border, Highway 191, from Douglas to Elfrida and Highway 90 from Bisbee to Sierra Vista.

 

For a detailed view of the hazard area, visit http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/wrh/whv/?wfo=twc.