For The Record
If you are not aware, our nursery is located in the metro area of Phoenix, AZ. Most of our growing facilities and fields are in the Sonoran Desert. Interestingly, Arizona has examples of all recognized biome types including tundra, temperate deciduous forest, coniferous forests, grassland, chaparral, tropical forests, and plenty of thorn scrub. It also contains some of all 4 desert types found in north America. The Chihuahuan, Mohave, Great Basin, and as mentioned, the Sonoran. This all combines to make Arizona a truly unique and special place, not just in the United States, but in the world.
If you have not been here to visit, or do not know, The Sonoran Desert is an arborescent desert, which means historically that it receives just enough annual precipitation (approx. 7in. annually) to support many legume tree species. With this meager moisture, it can also support the large columnar cacti, one of which is the stately, picturesque multi-armed Saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea) that the Sonoran Desert is known for. Due to its location, this desert is mostly cold-free compared to theses other deserts, and much of the area receives bi-seasonal rainfall. During the months of Dec. to March slower moving storms that move in off the Pacific Ocean can make their way east bringing cold soft rainfall to the northwestern parts of the Sonoran Desert areas. Then during the summer (July to Sept.) monsoon storms can build up from surges of heavy tropical air from the south that brings potentially violent thunderstorms and torrential rains scattered throughout the area.
However, these long-standing weather patterns are shifting. What once was understood or familiar is no longer. The rare few folks who have grown up in the Phoenix area will tell you, summers are hotter and these rain patterns used to be more regular and predictable. These anecdotal observations are bolstered by the climatologists facts. What is the new normal? We know that other regions of the U.S. and the world are also experiencing extreme weather events more frequently. Are these effects and events the new patterns? Or are they just temporary anomalies? Phoenix experienced and broke some crazy, unsettling summer weather records. Here are a few of our records for you to ponder:
The longest stretch of triple digit temperatures. Phoenix recorded 113 days in a row with temperatures over 100°F. This occurred from May 27th to Sept. 16th. (prev. record 76 days).
Third driest summer on record. At PHX Sky Harbor airport, only 0.74in. of rain was recorded. Compared to the 30-year average of 2.28in. during June, July & Aug. All of Maricopa County recorded 1.43in. compared to average of 3in.
Record number of days over 110°F - Phoenix recorded 61 days over 110°F. (prev. record 55 days)
Highest average low summer temperatures (June, July & Aug.). Phoenix recorded an average low temperature (as cool as it ever got for a 24hr. period) of approx. 90.5°F, with many nights that stayed above 90°F.
Hottest average daytime temperature of 99°F, compared to 97°F average which was a record set in 2023. Summer heat is arriving earlier each year, according to meteorologists. This contributes to the consistently higher averages.
The latest seasonal recorded high temperature. Phoenix set record with 117°F on Sept. 28th. Which is the latest, for this hot of a temperature ever in PHX.
The Bottom Line
Yup, it was an unrelentingly HOT summer. We are so glad its over, but what will next year bring?! The silver lining is that Happy Valley Plants offers many heat loving varieties. Agaves, Yuccas, Cacti, succulents, perennials, ornamental grasses, native & adaptable shrubs.
What were some of your local or regional area weather records? Share what you’ve experienced in your neck of the woods in 2024 in the comments. You are probably not alone.
**Blogs & photos by Daniel S. Goodspeed, without use of AI. No photos or blog info may be reprinted or reproduced without permission or consent of the author, Happy Valley Plants™ or its subsidiaries.**
