Location

Tucson is located in a desert valley, surrounded by five mountain ranges. Elevation in the basin runs from 2500 feet up to 2700 feet in the lower foothills. On the north side of Tucson we find the Santa Catalina Mountains rising 9100 feet. On the south are the Santa Rita Mountains rising 9479 feet. On the East we have the Rincons, on the west the Tucson Mountains and northwest are the less imposing Tortolita Mountains.

Located 63 miles north of Mexico and 115 miles south of Phoenix, Tucson is the county seat of Pima County, one of Arizona's four original counties. The metropolitan area is spread over 495 square miles.

Tucson is warm and sunny throughout most of the year, with relative low humidity. Our coldest month is January with an average high of 64.1, average low 38.1. Hottest and wettest month is July with an average high of 98.5 F.and a low of 73.8 F. and 2.42 inches of precipitation. Driest month is May. Total yearly precipitation is 11.14 inches.

Our desert contains a wide diversity of plant life, unlike the Sahara Desert. Not only are there many large trees, such as, the Palo Verde, the Mesquite, the Cottonwood and the Sycamore, we have many species of Cacti within the Basin. Most bloom from April until late May. The Barrel Cactus waits until August.

June Weather: Sunrise:5:18 - 5:21 am Sunset: 7:25 - 7:34 pm Normal Temperatures: High: 98.5 degrees F. Low: 67 degrees F. June is one of our hottest months. One can expect maybe one or two days of rain.

Most of our flowers have finished blooming and are setting fruit. The Saguaro's red fruits are bursting wide open and the critters are feasting. The days of June are spent epitomizing those lazy, crazy days of summer. Listen for the cicada's song during the hottest part of the day.

May Weather: Sunrise: 5:38 - 5:19 am Sunset: 7:04 - 7:24 pm Normal Temperatures: High: 89 degrees F., low:58 degrees F. Normal Rainfall: .14 inches May is reported our driest month. Even so, the blooming of the desert is in full swing. Mesquites, Palo Verde, and Acacias dominate the area with masses of blooms on each plant. The Sahuaro, Yucca and Agaves and Ocotillo are all putting on a wonderful show. We are seeing snakes and lizards in abundance right now. The porcupine is bearing young. Bird migration is in full swing. As you can see the desert is really alive right now. It is possible to spend time in the mountains and the desert which adds a lot of diversity.

February Weather: Sunrise: 7:17 - 6:52 a.m. Sunset: 5:57 - 6:20 p.m. Normal Temperature: High: 67 degrees F. Low 40 degrees F. Average Rainfall = .63 inches One can expect about 4 days of some rain and about 4 nights of 32 degrees F. or below.

This time of year we look for early signs of annual flowers. Unfortunately, the prognosis is not good this year for a bumper crop. We just did not get enough rain in September and October, but already I see blooms in the desert, so it may not be too dismal.

Many mammals are beginning their courtship and breeding. The coyote, the javelina, rabbits, kangaroo rats and mice, and the great bighorn sheep. The Great-horned Owls are nesting, the Gila Woodpecker is drilling out his home, usually in the Sahuaro Cactus. Also, listen for the drumming of the Gila, he is advertising his availability to those lovely females. Butterflies are becoming active. Watch for the Pima and Sara Orange-tips around the mustard plants.

January Weather: Sunrise: 7:25 - 7:18 a.m Sunset: 5:30 - 5:56 p.m. Normal temperature: high: 64 degrees F. Low: 38 degrees F. Rainfall: .83 inches One can expect about 6 days of drizzling rain and perhaps 6 nights of freezing temperatures.

This is a quiet month. The plants are mostly dormant. We all pray for rain to prepare for the coming spring and the annual flowers that rely on the water at this time of year. A lot of the fauna are completing their life cycle this month. Black bear are bearing their cubs. Many of the birds, such as , owls, the Harris' Hawk, Curve-billed Thrashers, and permanent resident Anna's Hummingbirds are preparing to nest. Deer continue their rut.

December weather : Sunrise: 7:07 - 7:25 am Sunset: 5:19 - 5:29 pm. Normal temperature: High 65 degrees F. Low 39 degrees F.

December's weather is mostly cool, the sunny days perfect for running around in the desert. You may expect a gentle rain about 5 days of the month.

The Sycamore, Hackberry and Desert Mistletoe are all ripening their fruits right now, providing food for the mockingbirds, phainopeplas and many other bird species. Most of the mammals are cozy in their dens for the long winter nap. Only the Harris' Antelope Ground Squirrel and perhaps a mouse or two if the sun is warm enough pop up to forage on the ground.

November weather: Sunrise 6:41 - 7:06 am Sunset: 15:35 - 15:19 Normal temperature: High:72 degrees F. Low: 45 deg F.

Most everything is ready for winter now. The deciduous trees are showing beautiful color, the critters are burrowed in for a long nap and the Sandhill Cranes are arriving along with many species of birds of prey.

November is usually a fairly dry month with maybe one or two days of rain. This is what we used to call Indian Summer where I grew up. The days are beautiful and balmy and we are able to renew acquaintance with the desert, now that the intense summer heat is moderated. This is among my favorite months in this area.

September weather: Sunrise: 5:59 - 6:17 Sunset: 18:11 - 18:49 Normal temperature: High - 94 degrees F. Low - 67 degrees F.

The rains have completed their cycle. Now is the time for ripening of the many seeds, and preparation for the next cycle. Food is abundant in the desert now. The animals are feasting. Most birds are getting ready to migrate to their winter homes in Mexico and South America. The rufous hummingbirds are abundant at feeders all over.
With the temperature moderating, we again visit the desert, marveling at its ability to survive through the heat of the summer. The turpentine bush is spreading yellow blossoms on the hillsides. The Barrel Cactus' orange blossoms are turning to yellow fruit for the animals to munch on through the winter. Isn't Mother Nature amazing?

August weather: Sunrise 5:39 - 5:58 Sunset 19:21 - 19:50 Normal temperature: High - 96 degrees F. Low -72 degrees F. rainfall 2.13 inches.

The summer Monsoon Season is here with dramatic thunderstorms in the late afternoons. These storms last perhaps an hour and dramatically change the feel of the desert. The plants open up their stomata and the air is full of heady perfumes. Animals are more active due to the additional humidity. Most of the birds are finished nesting. The Botteri's and Cassin's Sparrows are singing and skylarking. Lark Buntings are abundant. The birds are starting their long migrations and Southern Arizona is right along the fly-way. Warblers, rufous hummingbirds and numerous shorebirds are on their way. Our late summer wildflowers are blooming now and food is abundant. Turpentine bush is covering the lower foothills. The desert bighorn are searching out their mates. The spadefoot toad is in a frenzy to complete its' life-cycle before the pools from the monsoons dry up. This month is the peak month for butterflies. This is the time to watch for Mexican species.
Now is the time many Tucsonans make their way into the Catalina Mountains, just an hour away and twenty degrees cooler than the basin.

July weather: Sunrise 5:21 - 5:38 Sunset 19:22 - 19:34 temp High - 98.5 degrees F Low - 74 degrees F. rainfall 2.42 inches

The rain is short-lived, but subject to flashflooding. Black-throated Sparrows are beginning to nest if the rain is sufficient. The young of many species can be heard begging for food. The rare hummingbirds from Mexico are beginning to think of vacationing in Arizona. The cicada is in full voice and announcing the dog days of Summer. Provided we have enough rain, the grasses and summer flowers will be germinating. Rattlesnakes are having their children. Young coati are struggling for life. The ocotillo will leaf out in full with the summer rains.