Phoenix - is it too hot in the desert to..?
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Phoenix - is it too hot in the desert to..?
Hello,
Going to be in Phoenix around the 23rd of September for a business retreat. I know we can't seem to rely on the temperature since these days nothing seems to be normal with the weather. I am being offered outdoor activities to sign up for like horseback riding or Hummer desert tours but when I think of it being in the high 90's I think of being in the pools at the hotel! Outside in the desert in oppressive heat doesn't excite me.
If locals can give me perspective on the heat and being active outside these dates in September, I would appreciate it. Thank you very much.
Going to be in Phoenix around the 23rd of September for a business retreat. I know we can't seem to rely on the temperature since these days nothing seems to be normal with the weather. I am being offered outdoor activities to sign up for like horseback riding or Hummer desert tours but when I think of it being in the high 90's I think of being in the pools at the hotel! Outside in the desert in oppressive heat doesn't excite me.
If locals can give me perspective on the heat and being active outside these dates in September, I would appreciate it. Thank you very much.
#2
Here's the weather record for Phoenix for September 2021.
https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/ph...6935?year=2021
I pick the pool.
https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/ph...6935?year=2021
I pick the pool.
#3
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If the activity is in the morning, then either of those activities would be fine even if the afternoon high is 100F. Water, sunscreen, and wide brim hat regardless.
A hummer tour would be fine even if it's afternoon as you wouldn't be exerting yourself. Horseback riding personally I would avoid in the afternoon.
Depending on where the retreat is there are a lot of hiking trails in the hills/mountains above Phoenix. Where is the retreat?
Any of those outdoor activities make the pool even more attractive when you return.
I pick a morning desert hike, followed by the pool.
A hummer tour would be fine even if it's afternoon as you wouldn't be exerting yourself. Horseback riding personally I would avoid in the afternoon.
Depending on where the retreat is there are a lot of hiking trails in the hills/mountains above Phoenix. Where is the retreat?
Any of those outdoor activities make the pool even more attractive when you return.
I pick a morning desert hike, followed by the pool.
Last edited by J62; Aug 18th, 2022 at 07:20 AM.
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YOu don't really have to be a local to know what activities in certain weather is like.
I wouldn't do horseback riding in Sept near Phoenix unless I lived there and could go early. It will likely be 80 at least. Do you have experience with riding? YOu have to wear long pants like jeans and boots. So you'll need special clothes to take just for that as your jeans will smell of horse afterwards. So that's the issue as to why I wouldn't do it on a business trip. I used to live in LA and took riding lessons and did go when it was 80, wearing lighter weight jeans and boots, but as I said, I didn't have to pack those clothes for a trip. But if you ride a lot, you may have your own opinions on that, but then again, you wouldn't need to do that for fun on a business trip likely if you do it a lot at home.
I wouldn't do horseback riding in Sept near Phoenix unless I lived there and could go early. It will likely be 80 at least. Do you have experience with riding? YOu have to wear long pants like jeans and boots. So you'll need special clothes to take just for that as your jeans will smell of horse afterwards. So that's the issue as to why I wouldn't do it on a business trip. I used to live in LA and took riding lessons and did go when it was 80, wearing lighter weight jeans and boots, but as I said, I didn't have to pack those clothes for a trip. But if you ride a lot, you may have your own opinions on that, but then again, you wouldn't need to do that for fun on a business trip likely if you do it a lot at home.
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The humidity is lower in the desert normally (except when they get monsoons). But yes you can do activities in the morning and be just fine. Of course, I'm used to it. Where I live we've had 90s F and high humidity all summer long.
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I have been active in the southern Arizona desert in June, out all day (till about 4 pm).
Based on June (low humidity, later in the summer when it rains there can be some humidity):
Mornings are always fine, even if the mid-afternoon temp is over 100, before 9 am will nearly always be comfortable, after 11 am is when it becomes unbearably hot in the sun. But even on hot days, the mornings can be long sleeved shirt is required cool.
Based on June (low humidity, later in the summer when it rains there can be some humidity):
Mornings are always fine, even if the mid-afternoon temp is over 100, before 9 am will nearly always be comfortable, after 11 am is when it becomes unbearably hot in the sun. But even on hot days, the mornings can be long sleeved shirt is required cool.
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Christina,
I appreciate your reply. I have ruled out horseback riding at this point. I have gone riding a half dozen times. Yes, all of your points are well taken! I am remembering riding on a beach in Costa Rica in June in deadly heat. I felt terrible for the horses; they could barley move and it really wasn't fun in the heat for us humans,
Seems like perhaps due to the season of such high heat some retailers close, some events don't take place in the area. I am hoping to explore Native American culture in various ways and noticed online many things are closed.
I appreciate your reply. I have ruled out horseback riding at this point. I have gone riding a half dozen times. Yes, all of your points are well taken! I am remembering riding on a beach in Costa Rica in June in deadly heat. I felt terrible for the horses; they could barley move and it really wasn't fun in the heat for us humans,
Seems like perhaps due to the season of such high heat some retailers close, some events don't take place in the area. I am hoping to explore Native American culture in various ways and noticed online many things are closed.
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I should have specified the cool, long-sleeved shirt weather is 4:30-6:00 am. There’s no daylight time so it’s possible to work outside in June at 4:30. Maybe the longer nights in September mean similar cooler weather slides to later in the morning.
I have been in Phoenix at the end of August during the “monsoon” when there’s moisture that both adds mugginess and retains more heat overnight into the morning.
I have been in Phoenix at the end of August during the “monsoon” when there’s moisture that both adds mugginess and retains more heat overnight into the morning.
Last edited by tom_mn; Aug 18th, 2022 at 07:25 PM.
#13
Desert heat can be very dangerous as it doesn’t feel as hot as it is. Deaths every summer in Tucson are always tourists and Phoenix is hotter than Tucson. Be careful, be aware. If in doubt, ask a local.
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Although it was true before 2012 that most people in Arizona who died from the heat were from out of state, it hasn’t been true in any year since then.
heat-related-deaths-2009-2019.pdf
heat-related-deaths-2009-2019.pdf
#16
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There is no weather in New England remotely like Phoenix in September. I lived in NE for 40 years and now live in Tucson, which is cooler than Phoenix and a whole nother thing
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