Arizona gets a blast of winter weather FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., March 18 (UPI) -- While most of the United States enjoyed another day of unseasonably warm early spring weather, Arizona and West Coast were back in the swing of winter. A powerful storm that continued bringing rain and snow to Southern California blew into the Arizona mountains with wind and heavy snow. A winter storm warning was in effect from the Mexican border to the northern outskirts of Utah Sunday, the National Weather Service said, at the same time the East Coast and Midwest was experiencing temperatures pushing well into the 70s. Rain and wind lingered along the Pacific Coast Sunday as the brunt of the storm pushed east. Northern Arizona was warned to brace for blustery winds and as much as a foot of snow. The Arizona Daily Sun said Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff had already decided to cancel classes on Monday and residents were urged to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary. Phoenix was experiencing the storm in the form of its first rainfall since December. Between 1/2 and 1 inch was expected over the day. "Phoenix is known for its dry climate, but this is normally a wet time of the year," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Kristina Pydynowski. Phoenix typically receives nearly 3 inches of rain from late December through mid-March.