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The Latest: Snow in Tucson, Arizona, surprises residents

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) - The Latest on wintry weather (all times local):

9:30 a.m.

Snow fell and accumulated in central and downtown Tucson on Friday, surprising many in a city where snow is extremely rare.

The National Weather Service said about half an inch had accumulated near the University of Arizona.

While snow is common in the mountains around Tucson, it's much less likely within city limits.

Mount Lemmon, a popular hiking spot just outside the city, got 38 inches of snow and was closed even to residents.

Snow in Tucson was expected to stop by late morning.

8:45 a.m.

Lingering cold air is keeping Southern California frigid following a storm that dropped snow at elevations rarely seen in the Los Angeles region.

The National Weather Service says snow showers were reported Thursday in Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Calabasas, Northridge and Pasadena, all at elevations roughly between 700 and 1,000 feet (213.3 and 304.8 meters).

The weather service says snow was also reported at Malibu Pier, Leo Carrillo State Beach and near sea level at a fire station at Point Dume. Most of it melted as it hit the ground.

Downtown Los Angeles had no snow, however. Measureable snow has fallen there only twice since records began in 1877 - first on Jan. 15, 1932, and then on Jan. 9, 1949. A trace fell on two days in January 1962.

7:05 a.m.

A winter storm sweeping across the Southwest has set records in Arizona with heavy snowfall in the high country and significant rain in the desert.

Flagstaff on Thursday had a new single-day snowfall record of 35.9 inches (91.2 centimeters) at the airport, breaking the city's previous mark of 31.0 inches (78.74 centimeters) set in 1915.

Phoenix on Thursday set a new record for the day with 1.01 inch (2.57 centimeters) of rain, eclipsing the old mark of 0.73 inch (1.85 centimeters) set in 1973.

Some outlying areas in higher elevations of the northern outskirts of metro Phoenix had light snowfall, which National Weather Service meteorologist Andrew Deemer said Friday is not uncommon.

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11:10 p.m.

A winter storm that swept through the Southwest and brought a rare snowfall to the Las Vegas Strip and the mountains above Malibu in California pounded north-central Arizona with record amounts.

The Clark County School District in southern Nevada, the nation's fifth-largest, is canceling classes Friday because of the weather. In northern Arizona, schools, government offices, airports and roads were expected to be closed for a second day as the storm tapers off.

Residents in northern Arizona will be digging out from what the National Weather Service characterized as "not your average" storm.

Morgan Baggs shovels the driveway at his home in Flagstaff, Arizona, on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019. Schools across northern Arizona canceled classes and some government offices decided to close amid a winter storm that's expected to dump heavy snow in the region. (AP Photo/Felicia Fonseca) The Associated Press
Frank Van Buren, the manager of a travel center, gives direction to semi-truck drivers who are pulling off Interstate 40 in Bellemont, Arizona, on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019. Feb. 21, 2019. Schools across northern Arizona canceled classes and some government offices decided to close amid a winter storm that's expected to dump heavy snow in the region. (AP Photo/Felicia Fonseca) The Associated Press
Taylor Killian puts snow chains on the vehicle he's driving during a trip to Flagstaff, Arizona, on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019. Schools across northern Arizona canceled classes and some government offices decided to close amid a winter storm that's expected to dump heavy snow in the region. (AP Photo/Felicia Fonseca) The Associated Press
Richard Henn runs a snow blower down the sidewalk outside his home in Flagstaff, Arizona, on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019. Schools across northern Arizona canceled classes and some government offices decided to close amid a winter storm that's expected to dump heavy snow in the region. (AP Photo/Felicia Fonseca) The Associated Press
A car drives down Route 66 in Flagstaff, Arizona, on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019. Schools across northern Arizona canceled classes and some government offices decided to close amid a winter storm that's expected to dump heavy snow in the region. (AP Photo/Felicia Fonseca) The Associated Press
Mountains are blanketed with snow as traffic makes its way slowly through Cajon Pass on the I-15 near Hwy 138 in Phelan, Calif., Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019. (Watchara Phomicinda/The Orange County Register via AP) The Associated Press
A train rolls along the snow covered hills in the Cajon Pass near Highway 138 in Phelan, Calif., Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019. (Watchara Phomicinda/The Orange County Register via AP) The Associated Press
Libby McClellan, of the San Francisco Bay Area, takes a selfie with her father Kevin at the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, west of Las Vegas, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2018. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP) The Associated Press
Framed by a Joshua tree, Nancy Knapp visits Red Rock National Conservation Area after a winter storm dropped several inches of snow, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, near Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher) The Associated Press
James Minner, of Las Vegas, left, and Candace Reid, of Albuquerque, N.M., watch as snow falls around the overlook at the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area outside of Las Vegas on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP) The Associated Press
Valentina Gonzalez, 7, laughs after falling during a snowball fight with her family at the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation, west of Las Vegas Thursday, Feb. 21, 2018. In the background is her father Omar Gonzalez and her brother Omar Jr. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP) The Associated Press
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