HikeArizona.COM

The endless chatter of weather.

big_load wrote:I'm in Yuma right now and I can't believe how much it rained in the last couple hours. It must be about done for the year.

I drove up 95 to Quartzsite (why is there an "s" in that?) and was surprised by how messed up the road at places all along the way. There didn't seem to be any serious damage, but another good rain like that will undercut the road here and there.

big_load wrote:

big_load wrote:I'm in Yuma right now and I can't believe how much it rained in the last couple hours. It must be about done for the year.

I drove up 95 to Quartzsite (why is there an "s" in that?) and was surprised by how messed up the road at places all along the way. There didn't seem to be any serious damage, but another good rain like that will undercut the road here and there.

I have spent a couple of winters in Yuma, and am familiar with the 95 highway. I think there is an "s" in Quartzsite because it is the site for quartz....?

I was there one Thanksgiving, 2008, when there was some sort of record rain. They'll get storms in off the Pacific from time to time. But the average rainfall there is something like 3 inches.

I just checked our rain gauge and we got 2.3" in just 2 hours this afternoon! That seems about right as no part of the back yard had any less than a 3" depth for quite some time. Even two hours later there was still an inch covering most of it.

Now I just hope it spread far enough around the state that the restricted areas can be re-opened.

The rain followed me to Prescott, where there was a nice little deluge this evening. I hope it holds off a little tomorrow so I can hike dry.

The Bradshaws got hammered today. Prescott got plenty, but south of town the gauges are reporting 3-4+". The Catalinas have been getting good rain the past couple of days too. Looks like the Sierra Ancha, most of the Rim and Flag area have gotten some rain, but not as much as other spots. Either way, I expect all fire restrictions to be lifted by next weekend.

And despite the Sunflower fire, it was a fairly calm fire season here, given the dry conditions and potential. I usually expect more dry-lightning fires at the beginning of the monsoon, and that didn't really happen much this year. (ignore this photo: http://hikearizona.com/photo.php?ZIP=270484 ;) )

Just saw on the NWS site that PHX received 4 consecutive days of measurable rainfall (at the airport). It's the first time that has happened in 25 years!! (1986). And today looks like there's a possibility for a 5th day -- if it happens, that would be the first 5-in-a-row since 1908!

Radar-estimated rainfall last 7 days. A beautiful sight!

Absolutely pouring rain right now in Eagar. Coming down in buckets! The library is about to close, and they are going to make us all go outside and get wet. I might melt!

@chumley

After almost two weeks here, I'm nearly convinced that Yuma is not the best place for me. I wish I had one of those instant IR heat sensors. I'd burn up a lot of batteries taking readings all over the place. The windshield on my rental car couldn't deal with the heat.

Well, I guess you would adjust, but I had a very different visit to Tucson, than I am used to. Not the heat, as I've had hotter and liked it, but the humidity. I just couldn't stand it after 3 days.

The humidity hasn't been great in Yuma, either, but I'd much rather being in Tucson. I was there from Wednesday night to Thursday afternoon and felt decidedly unmiserable. ( I also enjoyed a fine dinner at Guillermo's, but that's another topic).

Late this afternoon I visited the remains of the Colorado River just before it drips into Mexico. Everyone out there was having a great time, but I was somewhat aware of being an obvious outsider. Not too many folks like me wander around in the heat, especially if they still have all their teeth.

I'd have to do some research to confirm, but my general feeling is that this year has been unusually rainy (and humid) in Yuma (all of western AZ, and eastern CA included). Not that they don't get monsoonal changes, but I sense that they are experiencing more moisture this year than most.

big_load wrote:The humidity hasn't been great in Yuma, either, but I'd much rather being in Tucson. I was there from Wednesday night to Thursday afternoon and felt decidedly unmiserable. ( I also enjoyed a fine dinner at Guillermo's, but that's another topic).

Late this afternoon I visited the remains of the Colorado River just before it drips into Mexico. Everyone out there was having a great time, but I was somewhat aware of being an obvious outsider. Not too many folks like me wander around in the heat, especially if they still have all their teeth.

Go to Martinez Lake or further north. When you are above the Imperial Dam, the river is big. It can easily be running 10,000, as opposed to 440-1200 below Laguna Dam.

Will you be going down there during the winter? I recommend Yuma River Tours jetboat: http://www.yumarivertours.com/jetboattours.htm (I am not sure if they run in summer.) They start at Martinez Lake, at Fisher's Landing. Very beautiful trip, lots of waterbirds. Really, really fun, worth the money. I think it's about $75 for the Norton's Landing trip, which is the one we did. Lots of interesting stops, and a very good lunch.

I also recommend, only in winter, going on a kayak tour with a lady who leads them: http://www.yumakayaktours.com/ She lives in Montana in the summer! Smart lady! See my writeup about it here: http://hikearizona.com/photoset.php?ID=14169

And, if you like road biking, with a little mtn. biking thrown in, there are two excellent bike clubs.

And, if you are there in winter and want to hike, go downtown to the historic district and find the Visitors' Center. There should be a series of small hiking guidebooks by Tom Nunn for sale there. 201 N. 4th Ave.

Lots of dust and wind here, but almost no rain.

Anyone else had enough of monsoon season? I know totals are always localized, but I've had enough. Maybe it's because the dust storms built huge dunes along fence lines, and as luck had it, the big storm we had yesterday (I estimate 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch ) ran off fast into low spots, and eventually it found my yard. Somehow, 2 yards, the house roof run-off and the yard run off ran into my back yard. It flooded my yard under maybe 4 inches of water. A lot ran off, but thanks to the dunes and lay of the yard, I ended up with about 2 inches of standing water over a large area. Wish I hadn't watered my plants, as they are standing in water and it isn't infiltrating. If they don't rot, I won't have to water for a while. Most soaked in, but I have a loblolly in the back, and I won't be out there for a while. The dog was sinking in to the mud up to a foot in one spot.

Anyway, i could use a break from the rain. Either an extended dry period, or an early end to the monsoon. Not likely. Elsewhere, Tucson has had some impressive totals of over 4 inches, and Flag has had over 3. Well above normal for July. Sorry about the FB links, but I', being lazy.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid= ... permPage=1
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid= ... permPage=1

@Jim_H
B****, B****, B****!

Jim_H wrote:Anyone else had enough of monsoon season?

Yes, and I was only there for three weeks.

Without the monsoon, this place wouldn't be worth living in.

RWStorm wrote:Without the monsoon, this place wouldn't be worth living in.

If you're a native, you learn young never to complain about the rain in Arizona; ya never know when it'll come around again.
Same goes for whiskey..