Climate

I am always amazed at what people think of 110 degree weather. They seem to fall into 3 basic categories:

• those who have never experienced
• those who hate it
• those who have come to embrace is as another reason to love our valley

For me it is the latter. It is a wonderful season of warm summer nights where sweaters are not needed. Bug-free evenings perfect for watching stars shoot across the desert sky and no chill  as you exit the swimming pool. You learn to do things differently in the day time heat, such as parking under even the thinnest shade tree or parking so when you have to open your door handle it has been on the shady side of your vehicle. Most people here claim to acclimate, with each summer becoming more enjoyable than the last one. The northwest valley does find it’s summers a little cooler than the central parts of the valley due to the slightly higher elevation that gives us our great views.

However, the Phoenix winters quickly fade the memory of  the 110 degree summer weather that seems as though it will never end. Winters in the northwest valley tend to be only slightly cooler than the rest of the valley due to the higher elevation. We do see an occasional snow flake every few years but most of the time the weather is delightful and great for outdoor activities such as hiking, biking and the like. After a few years here you will find yourself thinking 65 degrees is cold as your friends and relatives from back east show up in their summer gear.