HikeArizona.COM

The endless chatter of weather.

;) He won't be reading 1243 of them, I can tell you that much.

CannondaleKid wrote:

chumley wrote:Happy First Day of Spring!

Huh?

I guess must have a defective calendar 'cuz mine claims it will be March 20th this year. ;)

March 1 is often referred to as the first day of Meteorological Spring (as opposed to Astronomical Spring).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spring_%2 ... _reckoning

This date doesn't mean much to me, since my little corner of the world typically averages as much snow in March as in January or February, and snow is reasonably possible until roughly April 15. For me, Spring doesn't start until Tax Day, when I remove the shovel and traction aids from my car.

@big_load
Preach to me about why I enjoy living in the desert and enjoy 115 degrees.

@Jim_H
Ever since Randal and Rob corrupted me, my most important Spring milestone is when Cedar Mesa and Grand Gulch are clear of snow. Unfortunately, I had to do my spring AZ trip in January, so I probably won't be back for a while.

Though perhaps optimistic for California, we appear to miss out on the 7 day model forecasts, which I actually don't like. I would love it if we got 1/4 to 1/2 in the desert. At least Socal may pick up some snow and rain, as the San Jacinto Long Valley webcam looks like May, not March.

February was extremely dry here in the Bay Area, but it's not unusual to have a few dry weeks in late winter. The rain we get in March, April and beyond will decide whether El Niño has graced us with enough water to suspend the panic until next winter.

The high mountains north of the Bay Area and Lake Tahoe have been pounded with snow, but Southern California hasn't had nearly as much precipitation as they need.

Looks like Lyding Country got and will continue to get some impressive totals while Arizona remains dry over the next week. It would be nice if an old fashioned gulf of Alaska low would come down the coast and move in over Arizona by way of southern California, but that just hardly ever happens anymore. Sort of, as this current low may not be from the gulf, but it is moving down the coast and will move over northern Mexico, which is why there is precipitation forecast for Sonora, but not Arizona.

Wind-driven rain here in Page, early morning. I'm attending the AZT event, meeting Sirena today. Taking my rain gear!!!

Just got a couple inches of snow at the house and was all packed and ready to slay 9" of fresh powder in Breck until a sick feverish child came down the stairs. Now I'll be watching snow melt out my window. :-({|=

NOW THAT IS EL NINO's REVENGE!

El Niño? That's a good one!

@chumley
It's more like El Choppo

Im sick of this weather!!! Or lack of. I want rain!

Arizona and Southern California could definetly use some more substantial rain and higher elevation snow this season, but the current weather I do not hate. People who hate this weather should leave! And move to FLAGSTAFF!!

Liz knows what I'm talking about. I'm not serious about you leaving.

50 days since the last measurable rain at PHX.

And a whopping .18" in the last 73 days, with none in the forecast.

Looks like the JFM "heart of winter" will net a whopping 1.31" -- nearly all from a single storm system.
(Just 42% of the normal 2.82")

Yay El Niño! :roll:

Putting the the much-hyped el apocalypso aside for a moment, it would be nice to pretend this was like any other winter and just hope for a good April/May storm (or two ) to help prevent a catastrophic fire season.

Very windy in Page. Airport reporting gusts to 36 mph. It seems to be hitting my motorhome broadside, and I feel like I'm in a boat. Bathroom door left open was swinging a little, and the miniblinds clanking. Sure glad I'm not at work. Work was cancelled today.

Gusting up to 45 MPH at lower elevations in SE AZ today, 65+ MPH at higher elevations. And the Baker Canyon Fire just started in the SE corner of the state yesterday morning.

@jonathanpatt
Whoa, a fire already? Sheesh.

Gotta love March!

@MtnBart01
That's it. I'm moving to Colorado.

@chumley
Every morning is a big surprise regardless of forecast. Shorts and sandals two days ago. I could've used your shoveling this morning while the snowplow kept filling my driveway every 15 minutes.