Honestly, most people drive through Northern Arizona thinking it’s all saguaros and sun-baked lizards until they hit the 6,000-foot mark. Then it hits them. Literally. The williams az weather forecast isn't just a minor detail to check before you leave the hotel; it’s the difference between a cozy trip to the Grand Canyon and getting stuck on I-40 behind a jackknifed semi.
Williams sits at an elevation of roughly 6,770 feet. That's high.
The Immediate Reality
Right now, as of Friday, January 16, 2026, it’s a crisp nighttime in the Gateway to the Grand Canyon. If you’re standing outside near Route 66, you’re looking at a temperature of 34°F. But that’s a bit of a lie. With an 8 mph wind coming off the mountains from the east, it actually feels like 27°F.
The sky is clear. The humidity is sitting at 38%. Basically, it's a standard, chilly winter night in the high country.
💡 You might also like: Why Sextantio Albergo Diffuso Le Grotte della Civita is Honestly the Weirdest Most Beautiful Hotel in Italy
What the Next Week Looks Like
If you're planning a trip over the next few days, you've actually picked a pretty decent window. Today, Friday, the high is hitting 54°F with total sunshine. Don't let the sun fool you into wearing a t-shirt, though. When that sun dips, the low is crashing down to 30°F.
Tomorrow, Saturday, January 17, gets even cooler. We're looking at a high of 49°F and a low of 30°F. The wind is going to be the real kicker here, kicking up to about 14 mph from the northeast.
Here is the quick breakdown of what’s coming:
- Sunday, Jan 18: Mostly cloudy, hitting 56°F. A slight 10% chance of rain.
- Monday, Jan 19: Mostly sunny, high of 55°F. Lows stay around 31°F.
- Tuesday, Jan 20: Bright and sunny, high of 54°F.
- Wednesday, Jan 21: Sunny morning, but clouds roll in at night. High of 53°F.
The Upcoming Pivot: Rain and Snow
Things get interesting around Thursday, January 22. The williams az weather forecast shows a shift toward "mostly cloudy" during the day with a high of 50°F. By nightfall, there’s a 20% chance of a rain and snow mix as the temperature hits 31°F.
By Friday, January 23, the high drops to 46°F and we’re seeing a 20% chance of snow during the day. It’s not a blizzard, but it’s enough to make the roads "kinda" slick if you aren't used to mountain driving.
🔗 Read more: O'Hare Airport Terminal: How to Actually Survive the Maze Without Losing Your Mind
Why Williams Weather Is So Weird
You have to understand the geography. Williams is nestled at the base of Bill Williams Mountain, which towers up to 9,256 feet. This creates a microclimate. You can be in sunny Phoenix in 75-degree weather and, two hours later, be standing in a foot of snow in Williams.
The city actually gets about 66 to 74 inches of snow a year on average. That is a lot for a state most people associate with the Mojave Desert.
Survival Tips for the High Country
Most visitors make the mistake of dressing for their destination rather than the journey. If you're coming up from the valley, pack a heavy jacket even if it’s 80 degrees when you leave your house. The "feels like" temperature in Williams is almost always lower than the number on the screen due to the wind chill.
Check the ADOT (Arizona Department of Transportation) alerts religiously. I-40 is a major trucking artery. When it snows, those 18-wheelers can turn the highway into a parking lot in minutes.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check your tires: If you’re coming in late next week (Jan 22-23), ensure you have all-weather tires or at least decent tread. AWD is a massive plus here.
- Layer up: Plan for a 25-degree swing between 2 PM and 6 PM. It happens fast.
- Hydrate: High elevation and low humidity (currently 24% today) will dehydrate you faster than you realize.
- Watch the East Wind: Those 11-14 mph winds from the northeast can make a "sunny" 49-degree day feel like a freezer.
Keep an eye on the Wednesday/Thursday transition. That's when the clear skies give way to the moisture. If you’re heading to Bearizona or the Grand Canyon Railway, Wednesday is your best bet for clear views before the clouds move in.