10 Things I Like About the Heat in Phoenix
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No one believes I really like the hot weather in Phoenix! They can not believe that after living in Colorado for over 38 years and Ohio 10 years before that, that I could really love the desert and its heat. Well —– I really do!
I am always hearing some kind of mess (as my son would say) about how I must have lost my mind when commenting how nice it is here weather-wise in the heat of the desert. Most recently, I posted a picture (the one in yesterday’s post) of a recent Arizona sunset. It was 103 degrees at about 8 P.M. One humorously commented, “Yeah, you can’t see Phil in this picture as he’s passed out and on the ground.” hahaa.
Another wrote, “No wonder it took him a week to post it,” referring to the fact that I was still laying on the ground. (Now I will admit, you do not mess around in the heat. It is dangerous in the summer as you wouldn’t make it longer than a few minutes if you were dehydrated.)
My readers/friends are funny. I look forward to the day they can visit and experience what I am talking about. And what’s that? Here’s my Top 10 facts about the fantastic desert heat:
- No chill getting out of the shower. This is truly an amazing reality. I remember this being an immediate realization after showering. For all my life, getting out of the shower was a COLD experience. Now, with even a window open, it feels great, refreshing.
- Clothes dry naturally and quickly. I seldom use the dryer. Al Gore would love it here (energy smart) — but that would ruin our environment of being such a nice place to live. We don’t need any more really hot air.
- It’s a DRY heat…wonderful after sun goes down to sit on a deck or patio at 95-100 dry degrees. Your body feels good and you don’t sweat! Believe me, 90 degrees after the sun goes down is outstanding.
- 8+ months of the year at temps that are heavenly. Days and nights for EIGHT months are as good as any few months of great weather days in Colorado.
- A huge appreciation of SHADE! I’ve never loved shade as much as I do now. You will drive an extra block or 2 to park if there is shade. Shade is awesome. (ha-ha)
- Never feeling cold! I liked the cold, winter storms, but not single digits. I’ll take TRIPLE digits over single digits every time! That is especially true as a fan of the Phoenix Suns.
- The Heat is the reason for Saguaro cacti! Without these warm temps, these most unique plants could not survive. I’ll never forget seeing a Saguaro for the first time. They always catch my attention and are a unique creation.
- Convertibles rock in this weather! There is no better place to drive with your top down than in the heat of Arizona.
- You can BBQ all the time! I love cooking out and any day works for grilling out a good steak/hamburger/chicken.
- There are no flies! This realization hit me one evening as I was barbecuing and realized, there were no flies! If I remember right, it was about 102. Hooray for the heat!
The truth be known, my Northern friends are just envious. They may be elevation superior but I have this over them 12 months of the year — I’m HOT and they know it! You have no idea what you are missing.


July 23rd, 2008 at 8:07 am
This, by far, has been your greatest blog entry on your entire site. Thank you for making a stand for positiveness and gratitude for Arizona’s blazing desert and it’s kick-ass weather. Thank you for being a role model and source of inspiration!
July 23rd, 2008 at 9:07 am
Okay, and I live in the cold - DRY cold! The Yukon sits right there, next to Alaska, and despite it being semi-arid, we’ve had buckets of rain this summer. Anyway, I like the dry heat, my husband likes the dry cold, so I think we’ll have to find a compromise somewhere in between. It doesn’t look like it’ll be Arizona for us any time soon.
August 2nd, 2008 at 10:00 am
This summer has actually been a lot more humid than last. And in the paper yesterday, we are on pace with last years record number of days at 110 or higher! I would love to see the Yukon some day…reminds me of Colorado, with a lot LESS people!