The official end of an Arizona summer is almost here. Even though the first day of fall is September 22, we can still have more weeks of temperatures above 90° (all temperatures in Fahrenheit). Hovering over 95° is a possibility too. I’m trying to conjure up that feeling of what it’s like to get up in the morning and feel a difference in the air, when the air conditioning is not on, and it’s actually … chilly. If you’ve been in Arizona ALL summer, you know that takes some doing.
AMATEUR WEATHER WATCH
It has become my nightly activity to check temperatures around the world. Instead of seeing where it’s the hottest, now I scroll my weather app to check how cool will it get today, tonight, and tomorrow. And how cold will it be where my family and friends live? North Creek and Brant Lake in the Adirondacks Mountains of New York lead the list right now with the lows in the 40°s. Virginia – still warm in the 70°s. My beloved Miller Place is similar to Huntington on Long Island in New York – 70° and down in the 60°s at night. Our relatives in the Midwest might have a daily range from 80°s -50°s.
When I lived on the East Coast in New Jersey and New York the weather was pretty consistent as to a four-season year. Fourteen years here in Tucson where it’s really different, I still find it very interesting. Wikipedia says “Tucson has a hot desert climate (Köppen BWh), with two major seasons, a hot summer and mild winter.” But we know we have fall and spring too. It’s just … different.
Our neighbors and friends have migrated from all parts of the US and beyond, so weather comparisons are not uncommon.
WEATHER QUESTIONS WE MIGHT ASK
Tucson weather touchstones start in the late winter: When will it hit 70°? What will be our first 100 degree day? How many days will the temp be over 100°?
D.H. Lawrence said it: The heat of Arizona is not a barrier; it’s a challenge that demands respect.”
Now it’s mid-September and the sun rises a little bit to the left of our bedroom window as the earth begins that tilt. And it sets just as brilliantly a few minutes earlier each night.
We had a change of season touchstone last night. The temp dropped enough to turn off the A/C, open the windows, … and welcome real fresh air.
When will I need to wear a sweater? When will we have that first “paradise” day? That means blue, blue skies, no clouds, abundant sunshine but not burning, breezes that are warm, air that is dry but not where I‘m reaching for eye drops every time I go out. Bottom line, I’m welcoming autumn.
With the abundance of sun all year, we’re entertained twice a day with welcoming sunrises and brilliant sunsets.
SUMMER SUNRISE
“Few sights can compare to the sunrise over Arizona’s desert, where the hues of dawn bring the sand to life.” – John Muir.
Some summer sunrises are muted yellows and gray.
A Mt Lemmon sunrise of pinks and purples tinted the clouds over the Rincon Mountains. And there was the sun around 6:00 AM.
SUMMER SUNSET
Tonight the sun will slide below the horizon at 6:26 PM. Sitting on our front patio we might have an encore of an animated technicolor sunset.
Nature is painting for us, day after day, pictures of infinite beauty. – John Ruskin
Ethel Lee-Miller blogs regularly about people, the power of words, and her writing life. She retired after 30 years of teaching, and semi-retired from coaching, and professional editing. Founder of the Eastside Writing Room based in Tucson AZ, she’s posted 100s of blogs, and is the author of Thinking of Miller Place, and Seedlings, Stories of Relationships. These days she writes to inspire, to connect with folks, teaching about the power of words, gather writers together, and for the pure enjoyment of it. Ethel enjoys teaching, speaking, and storytelling at Odyssey Storytelling, Artists Standing Strong Together, Center for Spiritual Living Tucson, and anywhere there’s a mic or a Zoom room.