Climate of the Sonoran Desert
A large dust storm in Phoenix
The temperature in Phoenix, Arizona can
be as hot as 105 degrees Fahrenheit in July and as cold as 45 degrees
Fahrenheit in December and January. For the most part, it is 75 to a little bit
over 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer, 55 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit during
spring, 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit in the fall, and anywhere from 45 to 70
degrees in the winter.
Phoenix’s driest month is June, with an average precipitation of 0.09 inches, whereas the wettest month in Phoenix is March, with an average precipitation of 1.07 inches. Most of the year, the average precipitation ranges from 0.73 to 1.07 inches. However, during April, May, and June, precipitation drastically decreases to a range of 0.09 to 0.25 inches.
In addition to hot temperatures, Phoenix also has a Monsoon season, which normally begins on July 7 and ends on September 13. During this time, severe thunderstorms, heavy rain, heavy winds, dust storms, and sand storms are more frequent than the rest of the year.
Also, Phoenix has the second highest number of dust storms in Arizona, which are most frequent and intense during late afternoons of summer (five to six PM). These dust storms are relatively short however, averaging between fifteen and sixty six minutes. Dust storms of longer durations occur late winter and early summer with a peak occurrence in April, though they are less intense than the ones that occur in the summer.
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Phoenix’s driest month is June, with an average precipitation of 0.09 inches, whereas the wettest month in Phoenix is March, with an average precipitation of 1.07 inches. Most of the year, the average precipitation ranges from 0.73 to 1.07 inches. However, during April, May, and June, precipitation drastically decreases to a range of 0.09 to 0.25 inches.
In addition to hot temperatures, Phoenix also has a Monsoon season, which normally begins on July 7 and ends on September 13. During this time, severe thunderstorms, heavy rain, heavy winds, dust storms, and sand storms are more frequent than the rest of the year.
Also, Phoenix has the second highest number of dust storms in Arizona, which are most frequent and intense during late afternoons of summer (five to six PM). These dust storms are relatively short however, averaging between fifteen and sixty six minutes. Dust storms of longer durations occur late winter and early summer with a peak occurrence in April, though they are less intense than the ones that occur in the summer.
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environment of the sonoran desert
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The desert of Phoenix isn't barren like most would presume; it's filled with beautiful plants and flowers, though they may look unusual. Some of the plants include the saguaro cactus, various desert trees, desert shrubs, and desert flowers. It is also filled with intriguing creatures such as scorpions, rattlesnakes, roof rats, black widow spiders, Mexican Wolves, Bobcats, Gila monsters, lizards, rabbits, prairie dogs, and much more. In addition to the wildlife, Phoenix is also filled with rocks, boulders, soil, and lots of sand. You can even think of it as a giant beach... just without the ocean. More specifically, some important abiotic factors in the Sonora include the Salt River, the Gila River, the Colorado River, and the Verde River. These rivers feed into Phoenix from all directions, supplying the area with necessary water for farming. Other bodies of water that borders the Sonoran Desert are the Pacific Ocean, the Salton Sea, and the Gulf of California. Other abiotic factors in the Sonora include mountains. Mount Kofa and Mount Catalina are two of many other mountains in the area.