Winter has arrived, but are you prepared? Make sure you have your emergency kit ready to go in your vehicle just in case you get caught out in wintry weather. A few helpful tips are to keep your gas tank near full, let someone know your travel plans, and always check the forecast before leaving.

A potentially potent winter storm is expected to impact the region Sunday through Tuesday. This system could produce significant snowfall down to elevations below 4,000 feet with the heaviest snowfall likely occurring Monday morning when snow levels are closer to 5,000 feet. There is high uncertainty around precipitation amounts at this time. However, models are trending upward on snow amounts. Confidence is high that windy conditions will develop Sunday into Monday before temperatures plunge downward. Expect below-average temperatures next week, with bitterly cold nights along and north of the Mogollon Rim.