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As much as I like sunshine and dryness in winter, too much of that would cause aridity, a climate trait I despise. Because of that, I'd take Houston; the winters are wet enough to keep moisture for the plants, while still being dry enough not to be soggy (precip totals go no higher than 3 inches).
Houston can get extremely soggy during the winter. During El Nino years, it can be rainy, cold, and overcast for days on end, sometimes for weeks. During other years, it can be predominantly sunny and not soggy. It's really quite variable. And, there have been severe floods during the middle of winter. A few years ago in January, the city was hit by severe flooding with more than 10 inches of rain in one day. Granted, floods during the winter are not common, and much more common during the spring or fall.
Houston can get extremely soggy during the winter. During El Nino years, it can be rainy, cold, and overcast for days on end, sometimes for weeks. During other years, it can be predominantly sunny and not soggy. It's really quite variable. And, there have been severe floods during the middle of winter. A few years ago in January, the city was hit by severe flooding with more than 10 inches of rain in one day. Granted, floods during the winter are not common, and much more common during the spring or fall.
El Nino brings cloudier, rainier weather across all of the southern US tier, so Houston isn't unique in that regard. On average, though, Houston's winters aren't really soggy; Los Angeles has higher average precipitation totals than Houston during February, and almost the same total precipitation over all the winter months: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles#Climate https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston#Climate
Springs, summers and falls all can bring heavy flooding to Houston (Atlantic cyclones in summer, eastern Pacific cyclones + fronts in Fall, and Gulf surges from warm core systems in spring). It appears, though, that springs and falls are (relatively) dry seasons in Houston, going by precip days; the rainfall totals for months like May and October are only as high as they are due to the El Nino and/or Epac storms that come certain years, and even with the stormy years accounted for, the rainfall days are still the lower compared to summer (June-September) or winter (December to February).
As much as I like sunshine and dryness in winter, too much of that would cause aridity, a climate trait I despise. Because of that, I'd take Houston; the winters are wet enough to keep moisture for the plants, while still being dry enough not to be soggy (precip totals go no higher than 3 inches).
People don't realize that during the winter, Phoenix is quite humid. And its also quite rainy And cold. In fact, our highs the last few days have struggled to get out of the 50's, and we had 2 days of rain over the weekend, and frost on the ground this morning.
Phoenix by a mile. What is not to like? It is either warm and sunny or cool and sunny. Lay by the pool one day and play golf/hike the other.
Do you lay by the pool in MN when its 60 degrees? I sure wouldn't. That's our winter weather in PHX in the daytime, with lows in the 30s and 40s. Hardly what I call weather that's promotes laying out by a pool.
You guys act like its the Florida Keys here or something. Its not. We had frost this morning, with lows already in the mid-30's.
People don't realize that during the winter, Phoenix is quite humid. And its also quite rainy And cold. In fact, our highs the last few days have struggled to get out of the 50's, and we had 2 days of rain over the weekend, and frost on the ground this morning.
Geez, you people need to do some research.
I am aware that winter rain/humidity can happen in Phoenix; however, the average is still less than an inch for all the winter months.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Weatherguy
A few years ago in January, the city was hit by severe flooding with more than 10 inches of rain in one day. Granted, floods during the winter are not common, and much more common during the spring or fall.
Did you know that Los Angeles has a higher record precipitation total for January than Houston does?
I am aware that winter rain/humidity can happen in Phoenix; however, the average is still less than an inch for all the winter months.
Did you know that Los Angeles has a higher record precipitation total for January than Houston does?
Average rainfall for the winter is close to 3.5", with an inch average per month. That's just averages, though. We can get over an inch in one day, which leads to big time flooding problems in many areas.
Average rainfall for the winter is close to 3.5", with an inch average per month. That's just averages, though. We can get over an inch in one day, which leads to big time flooding problems in many areas.
People don't seem to make the connection that aridity = temperature extremes. Here in Tucson it's high of 55, and this morning it was easily in the 30s when I went to school. Nor do they understand that southern Arizona is by all technicalities a "tropical desert". Before the sun comes up it is easily below freezing. The sun is the only thing that provides warmth here.
I love our winter weather because it gets cold. To say highs hover in the 70s or 80s like they do in the south is laughable. Maybe sporadically we will get a day in the winter like that as any other dry place like Denver which also is sporadic. Deserts are not hot all the time...
People don't seem to make the connection that aridity = temperature extremes. Here in Tucson it's high of 55, and this morning it was easily in the 30s when I went to school. Nor do they understand that southern Arizona is by all technicalities a "tropical desert". Before the sun comes up it is easily below freezing. The sun is the only thing that provides warmth here.
Actually, a tropical desert wouldn't have freezing temps at all (see Cabo San Lucas, or Dubai).The desert in Tuscon, Phoenix, etc is subtropical desert (freezing temps can sporadically in certain years, but the overall climate features mild winters).
Quote:
Originally Posted by Prickly Pear
I love our winter weather because it gets cold. To say highs hover in the 70s or 80s like they do in the south is laughable. Maybe sporadically we will get a day in the winter like that as any other dry place like Denver which also is sporadic. Deserts are not hot all the time...
It depends on the type of desert. The more temperate/higher latitude deserts (like the Great Basin) can have more variable temps, and can get cold in winter. However, lower latitude deserts (like subtropical deserts in Phoenix or Tuscon, or tropical deserts in Dubai) will be mild/warm during winter. Highly elevated deserts have high diurnal ranges, while the deserts of Antarctica are the coldest on Earth.
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