temps in the 30s. Snowstorms and flurries are common during the winter months. Big Lake gets 174.5 inches (443.6 cm) of snowfall annually and accumulating snow can reach up to 8 feet. Ice forms on the lake in late November and doesn't thaw till early April. The White Mountains is one of the coldest and wettest places in the state. The official all-time record low in Arizona history was recorded at −40 °F/°C near Hawley lake on January 7, 1971. White Mountains also holds the record for most precipitation in a calendar year at 58.92 inches (1496.6 mm) On Monday, November 5, 2001, the Northern Lights were visible from Greer and other areas around the Mogollon Rim and White Mountains including Payson, Heber-Overgaard, Show Low, Eagar, Alpine, and McNary. At 8:00-10:30 pm, the people of east central Arizona were treated to the natural light display due to extremely strong Solar flares that allowed the Aurora Borealis to be seen this far south. The lights appeared a deep red and pink hue. Flora and Fauna There is a diverse abundance of flora and fauna around Big lake. Trees like Narrowleaf Cottonwood, Maple, Boxelder, and Oak, can be found in the riparian habitats in the area Juniper, Pine, Aspen, Fir, and Spruce dot the surrounding landscape. Wildflowers and mushrooms can also be seen in many of the meadows around the lake. Big Lake is a very important area for wildlife and the White Mountains is one of the most biologically diverse areas in the state. It is home to the Mexican Grey wolf and if you are lucky enough, you might catch a glimpse. As of 2021 there were only 186 wild wolves living in eastern Arizona and western New Mexico. The area is also home to the elusive Apache trout. The state fish of Arizona, the Apache trout is one of two native trout species to the state, the other being the Gila trout. Historically found in nearly every body of water in the White Mountains, the trout was pushed to near extinction, today, Arizona Game and Fish and the White Mountain Apache Tribe have been working together to conserve and manage both the Apache trout and the Mexican Grey Wolf. Before westward expansion and the intrusion of settlers, the White Mountains were home to Grizzly bears but in 1936 the last Grizzly bear in Arizona was killed on Escudilla Mountain