HikeArizona.COM

The endless chatter of weather.

Up and out at 4 am for a walkabout in Payson. Heard a loud crack and a leaning 25-foot pine tree fell over into the street behind me.

Nighthiker wrote: ↑Mar 02 2023 10:02 am Up and out at 4 am for a walkabout in Payson. Heard a loud crack and a leaning 25-foot pine tree fell over into the street behind me.

I bet that got your blood flowing.

It seems that the overall pattern across the west is shifting away from the cool and stormy flow we've had recently. It was a good run while it lasted.

Weather suddenly returned to near-normal in my area two weeks ago after what has been a record warm and snowless year. Now we have freezing nights and snow 2-3 times a week, although it's often followed by rain that clears it off. NYC is still on track for their most snowless year ever, but a couple modest snowfalls could knock them out of the top five. There are about six weeks left in traditional snow season.

Statewide hydrology is looking impressive today. There's a lot of 4-digit cfs readings, and some of the big drainages are in the tens of thousands. With fully-saturated ground, a still-lasting snowpack above 7,000 feet, and another storm in the forecast for next week, it looks like there will be some impressive surface flow continuing for a bit.

chumley wrote:it looks like there will be some impressive surface flow continuing for a bit.

Hopefully not containing tents full of sleeping backpackers.

chumley wrote: ↑Mar 16 2023 9:35 am With fully-saturated ground, a still-lasting snowpack above 7,000 feet, and another storm in the forecast for next week...

Maybe Mormon Lake will be a lake again.

@rcorfman Most years chances are pretty good right about this time. Even after this recent rain, there's 4 feet of snow on the ground at the lake, and nearly 6 feet up on the mountain. It might be full enough for waterskiing next month! (2017: [ photo ] )

@chumley
In 2019 it was fairly full but driving around it, I didn't find any easy access to put my kayak in. Now I have a kayak that folds up and I can carry it like a backpack. So I can easily walk there. Another one I got to paddle in 2019 was Lower Lake Mary which is usually completely dry.

The forecast for the South Rim last night was 13F and it looks like it'll be cool for a while yet. Will I need traction aids in two weeks? I guess I'll pack them just in case.

@big_load from the few posts I've seen, I think you'll still need traction in two weeks, except on Hermit, which is the only common route right now that is melted out due to it's favorable exposure.

@chumley
Thanks, we're coming out on Hermit on Day 6, but I guess we'll be wearing traction on the initial descent.

Today marked the latest occurrence of reaching 85 degrees at PHX in 50 years! In just three more days there's a chance for triple digits. It was nice while it lasted.

chumley wrote: ↑Apr 08 2023 5:00 pm Today marked the latest occurrence of reaching 85 degrees at PHX in 50 years! In just three more days there's a chance for triple digits. It was nice while it lasted.

but the temp is going to drop clear down to 74 for the day on Friday... and then back up into the 80s, but still; that's a lot of temperature drama for one week.

The end of Superstition hiking season is always a sad time of the year. Gonna be a LONG six months!

On 4/11 it was 95 in the shade under the ledge at Hermit Camp. We got in about 10:30 and it was already pretty warm. We most of that day hiding in a crack or sitting by the creek.

It was much more reasonable on the way out today.

80 degrees a couple days ago and over a foot of snow last night.

Woohoo! It was a sunny day in NJ after seven consecutive days of rain. I've only been home from AZ a few weeks, but I'm ready to go back.

It was another (mostly) sunny day today, and much warmer. I still haven't seen the first dead snake of the year, although I did get my first mosquito bite.

@big_load
Shorts weather 70’s here still lot’s of snow