Is 110F in Arizona mild and comfortable compared to 85F back east? (Phoenix: calculation, gated)

[RichCapeCod]

As my signature shows I split the year between southern AZ and Cape Cod. I've never been in AZ when the temps got much over 95, but found that even then, when out of the direct sun, I was quite comfortable. When the temps hit 80 degrees on the Cape, with our 90% humidity, the weather is very uncomfortable. When the temps at night go to the upper 60s or 70, you'd think it'd be comfy for sleeping. Well, with the Cape's humidity, your bed feels like you're sleeping in a damp sponge.

Living in both places I'm comfortable in saying that AZ weather, over all, is far superior to that of Cape Cod's. I don't fancy being around when the temperature in AZ goes over 100 degrees, but know full well that the high humidity of Cape Cod during the summer period is no picnic either.

[jlawrence01]

Originally Posted by RichCapeCod

As my signature shows I split the year between southern AZ and Cape Cod. I've never been in AZ when the temps got much over 95, but found that even then, when out of the direct sun, I was quite comfortable. When the temps hit 80 degrees on the Cape, with our 90% humidity, the weather is very uncomfortable. When the temps at night go to the upper 60s or 70, you'd think it'd be comfy for sleeping.

I don't agree. When the temperatures reach 100+, it is very hot even with lower humidity (<15%). I sat last summer at a number of bus stops waiting and it is NOT at all comfortable. It is less bad if you have a shelter and you are properly equipped with a hat and an endless supply of water. Whenever possible, we stay inside from 10 am - 3 pm whenever possible May and June (or head elsewhere).

Sitting outside, well protected from the sun, is possible.

Monsoon season does provide significant relief at least in the Tucson areas and south.

[locolobo13]

The difference is that 110+ feels more like an oven here. You're sweating but it dries right up. If you're not careful you can dehydrate pretty fast.

85+ hi humidity more like a sauna or steam bath. You know you're sweating there. Just walk a half mile or so and it just won't dry up.

To the comment about 110+ and hi humidity levels. It seems to me that the higher humidity (30-40%) actually keeps the temps at 110 or less. But as the sun bakes the atmosphere the temp goes over 110, the humidity goes down. Then as a new storm blows in the temp drops and the humidity goes back up.

Pleasant? No. But it does make it interesting.

The key to outdoor safety is listening to your body and hydrating. If you feel dizzy or woozy find a cooler place, drink some liquids, slow down and take a break for a while.

[PoppySead]

They both suck. People don't move here because they enjoy the heat, it's just worth the cheap homes and the rest of the years weather. The desert weather is good because it doesn't snow, this isn't CA, the heat in the summer is just dealt with. It bothers some more than others but 110 is hot, dry or not. Especially if you have to work out in it.

[BIG CATS]

75 with 75% humidity is more comfy than 110 any day. Dont kid yourselves, folks.

[goolsbyjazz]

Originally Posted by RichCapeCod

As my signature shows I split the year between southern AZ and Cape Cod. I've never been in AZ when the temps got much over 95, but found that even then, when out of the direct sun, I was quite comfortable. When the temps hit 80 degrees on the Cape, with our 90% humidity, the weather is very uncomfortable. When the temps at night go to the upper 60s or 70, you'd think it'd be comfy for sleeping. Well, with the Cape's humidity, your bed feels like you're sleeping in a damp sponge.

Living in both places I'm comfortable in saying that AZ weather, over all, is far superior to that of Cape Cod's. I don't fancy being around when the temperature in AZ goes over 100 degrees, but know full well that the high humidity of Cape Cod during the summer period is no picnic either.

I miss the Cape! One of my favorite places to be.

[WilmaWildcat]

The OP says 85 F, not 75 F.

100 F with 10% humidity is better than 85 F with 85% humidity. The former you can drive around with your window down; the latter you must use the A/C in your car. That's what I discovered when I moved from Arizona to Chicago.

[eddie gein]

Originally Posted by Mini-apple-less

This is why I always hear, but is it just PR or is the Arizona heat really that much more comfortable and tolerable compared to the humid eastern heat? I've experienced 113F in Vegas and it was pretty horrible, especially considering it's still in the 80s at night. I doubt I could have tolerated it for more than a couple days without going crazy and being miserable.

Is 110F in Arizona similar to say a humid 75F during the spring back east?

There is no question that 75 degrees is more comfortable regardless of the humidity.

110 degrees in the desert is brutal. What you gain in comfort by it being dry is lost by the radiant heat of the sun. As mentioned by a previous poster, it's really not easy to compare the sensations.

I once moved from Arizona to Florida in the summer. It was like moving from an oven where people were smacking your face with ping pong paddles to a sauna with a bunch of dogs panting on you.

If I had to estimate it, I'd say that dry heat and high humidity.............110 in the desert is like mid to high 90s with high humidity.

[jamies]

Yes, it's a DRY heat. Kind of like turning on your oven, then scking on a blow dryer.

110 is NOTHING! Why you can't even cook an egg on the sidewalk when it's that cool.

Come to Bullhead City - it will COOL DOWN to ONLY 110 maybe by midnight. Maybe not.

I have a photo from two summers ago, 120 in the shade, and 161on the gravel in my yard in the sun!

[Fiddlehead]

Originally Posted by eddie gein

There is no question that 75 degrees is more comfortable regardless of the humidity.

110 degrees in the desert is brutal. What you gain in comfort by it being dry is lost by the radiant heat of the sun. As mentioned by a previous poster, it's really not easy to compare the sensations.

I once moved from Arizona to Florida in the summer. It was like moving from an oven where people were smacking your face with ping pong paddles to a sauna with a bunch of dogs panting on you.

If I had to estimate it, I'd say that dry heat and high humidity.............110 in the desert is like mid to high 90s with high humidity.

Pretty close.

According to this chart:

http://www.weather.gov/media/unr/heatindex.pdf

a 96 F day with 55% relative humidity would have a heat index of 112F, which is exactly what you would get with 110F at 20% RH.

Heat Index Calculator


A 75 degree day would not be on the chart, and an 80F day can only get a heat index up to 87F at 100% relative humidity.

Another pretty good comparison would be 90F with 70% RH (79 F dew point), yielding a heat index of 105 F
vs. a 110 F day with 5% RH ( 24 F dew point ), yielding a heat index of 102 F. These dew point values are pretty extreme, so I would surmise AZ is "hotter" than the East most of the summer in most years.

But again, this does not account for solar radiation, which would be very, very intense at 5% RH. I had a first hand experience with this years ago. I had a job that required that I commute between two locations in California: the Owens Valley, a relatively high valley (~4,000") at the edge of the Mojave Desert, and the irrigated San Joaquin Valley (~400') every couple weeks. The temperatures were pretty similar in summer, 95-105, occasionally 110, few clouds, and relentless sun. The afternoon sun in the Owens Valley was much more fierce than in the San Joaquin, though the nights cooled better in the high desert. In fact, when the sun went down it was quite nice, whereas the San Joaquin was more humid and cooled more slowly making it harder to sleep. I could literally feel my sun burning in the Owens Valley in the daytime, even with sunscreen. Desert sunshine is a force of nature. While the east is sweaty, it does not feel like it will burn the skin right off you.