Have you ever experienced a solar eclipse? It’s rare but for almost anyone who has witnessed one, it can be a beautiful and rare occurrence. The next solar to look out for is not until October of 2023 and for us Arizonans, we will only get a partial view of one. However, if you are hungry to find out more …
Spring is in full swing and before things get scorching hot out here in the Sonoran, it’s that fine time to get out and enjoy the sun. The media is full of perfectly tan movie stars and celebrities but be mindful to think twice before trying this at home. The sun is powerful. It not only heats our world and …
For those of us living in Phoenix and surrounding areas, we acknowledge that it’s important to be aware of the sun. It can be hot and if we are not careful can even lead to sunstroke! What is Sunstroke? Sunstroke, also known as heat stroke, occurs when your body becomes so hot that it can start to cause bodily damage. …
A lot of us love the dryness and the heat but even for sun lovers, the hot months in Phoenix can feel extreme! Not only is it hot, but it’s important to be aware of your sun exposure. Not only do you have to be aware of sunburns and overheating but UV rays have lasting damage. What are UV Rays? …
If you have a patio in this desert climate you already know how quickly the sun makes colors fade. It’s hard to keep paint from losing its luster and all too soon before brand new patio furniture starts to lose its fresh look. Patio furniture is by no means cheap so it can be frustrating to watch the sun affect …
It probably doesn’t come as a surprise to locals that Phoenix is the hottest major city in the United States. Our city has outdone itself with a staggering average of 107 days a year with temperatures over 99°F, outpacing even Las Vegas which trails us with “only” 70 days in the triple digits. On a warming planet, the intensity of …
The Sonoran Desert is an arid region covering approximately 100,000 square miles in southwestern Arizona and southeastern California, as well as most of Baja California and the western half of the state of Sonora, Mexico. Warm winters attract tourists to Sonora Desert resorts in Palm Springs, California, Tucson, and Phoenix, Arizona. It’s the hottest desert in Mexico and the second …
Sometimes the desert in Arizona gets so hot you have to wonder how other animals get by without the benefit of cooling sunshades. Yet, for centuries Sonoran wildlife has developed and adapted to the extremes of desert temperatures. Part of their strategy is similar to ours – get in the shade for a simple, natural cool. Other fauna is crepuscular …
Here in the Sonoran Desert, we’re used to extremes of hot and dry weather. Sometimes, this can make the reality of climate change seem abstract and hard to see, but rising global temperatures are setting into motion a cascade of drastic changes to ecosystems and weather patterns. From the severe polar vortex winter storms striking the Midwest to the widespread …
Have you ever wondered how the native cacti of the Sonoran Desert can survive the hot, arid challenges of Arizona summer? It turns out that many cacti get by with a little help from their friends. In an evolved connection, cacti thrive in conjunction with colonies of ants, both specially adapted to benefit the other. The Generous Cactus Looking close …