In winter here in the Valley it gets so mind numbingly cold that we wear long sleeved shirts part of winter.
:)
Down to the 60s daytime, and occasionally reaches freezing overnight (the apartment fountain froze over *once* that I know of -- looked awesome. Sadly melted/broken up by the time I got my camera loaded with fresh batteries). I can remember one, maybe two occasions where faint wisps of snowflakes were in the air. I say in the air as they didn't last all the way to the ground. Then there's the occasional winter storm. Keep in mind that here in central Arizona a half inch of rain qualifies as a major rain storm (I heard the news this year mention a, "heavy rain storm that measured .1 inches at Sky Harbor International airport").
Before thinking this sounds luxurious, keep in mind that in summer it is not unheard of to reach 120 and at that temperature you can be in shade, ten feet from the nearest sun exposed surface, and sweat puddles. And that's on a low humidity day. We'll have out of state hikers end up in the hospital because they grab a 20 ounce bottle of water at Circle K and think that counts as carrying water for an all day hike.
So no snow in the valley and only the occasional rain storm. But we still get the occasional dust storm. And all the trees are still green. An the foolish grass lawns are still green. Stepping outside at night can leave you shivering withing feet of the door. There's some risk of homeless freezing, although they are at far less risk of harm than they are in summer.
Have I mentioned I think Arizona would be almost perfect without the hottest part of the summer weather?
:)
Down to the 60s daytime, and occasionally reaches freezing overnight (the apartment fountain froze over *once* that I know of -- looked awesome. Sadly melted/broken up by the time I got my camera loaded with fresh batteries). I can remember one, maybe two occasions where faint wisps of snowflakes were in the air. I say in the air as they didn't last all the way to the ground. Then there's the occasional winter storm. Keep in mind that here in central Arizona a half inch of rain qualifies as a major rain storm (I heard the news this year mention a, "heavy rain storm that measured .1 inches at Sky Harbor International airport").
Before thinking this sounds luxurious, keep in mind that in summer it is not unheard of to reach 120 and at that temperature you can be in shade, ten feet from the nearest sun exposed surface, and sweat puddles. And that's on a low humidity day. We'll have out of state hikers end up in the hospital because they grab a 20 ounce bottle of water at Circle K and think that counts as carrying water for an all day hike.
So no snow in the valley and only the occasional rain storm. But we still get the occasional dust storm. And all the trees are still green. An the foolish grass lawns are still green. Stepping outside at night can leave you shivering withing feet of the door. There's some risk of homeless freezing, although they are at far less risk of harm than they are in summer.
Have I mentioned I think Arizona would be almost perfect without the hottest part of the summer weather?
Reply
Leave a comment