Sonoran Desert Climate
What's the weather like, out there in the Sonoran desert?

Climate
The desert is characterized by dry, sunny conditions. Many areas average less than 10 inches of rainfall each year, some even less than 3 inches recently.

One eerie phenomenon is virga, rain that falls from clouds but evaporates before it reaches the ground.

Even so, there are numerous wet areas in the desert, either in coastal regions in the Baja, or the rivers fed by surrounding mountains.

In most parts to the Sonoran desert, you will find wide diurnal temperature extremes. Thirty degree F differences in a day are not unusual.

In addition to the expected but stunningly hot summer temperatures, on occasion rising to over 130 degrees F, the area can see winter frosts and the occasional snowfall in northern regions or higher elevations.

Mountains in the desert
White Tank Mountains, Sonoran Desert, Arizona

 

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