When is Monsoon season in the Southwest?

[davidsargee_imp]

Hi guys,

Planning a "bucket list" trip through New Mexico and Arizona this spring, wondering if any of the AZ riders can clue me in on "Monsoon" season and when it is. Obviously want to avoid that.

Preliminary planning is the first week of April for my trip. What is the weather generally like that time of year? I was in AZ late spring in 1996 and all I remember was very hot in the day, cold at night.

Thanks!

[LPRoad_imp]

I spent a lot of time last year on my property which is in western NM. April is nice, although it is at the front edge of what the locals were calling the "windy" season. Pretty steady winds from the west, not too outrageous, but some good gusts for sure. The Monsoon didn't really set in until early July. Then there were thunderstorms almost every afternoon. We just planned our day around it. Chores and outdoor activities in the morning, got ready for the rain around 2-3 pm, and it was usually blown out by 6 pm or so. Of course every year is different, but in my area it seems like you can more or less count on some wind in the spring and a chance for afternoon rain in the summer.

[flynrider]

A few years ago, the weather service decided to give "monsoon season" fixed dates. They have it starting in mid-June. In real life, the monsoon conditions (high humidity, thunderstorms) start almost like clockwork around the first week in July. No need to worry if you're coming in Spring or early Summer.

In April it's usually very dry the daytime temps are just starting to heat up in the low deserts. That early in the year, you could get daytime temps in the 80s to the low 90s. At high elevations like Flagstaff, expect highs in the mid 50s to mid 60s.

[rboe]

I seem to recall that New Mexico got more rain earlier (on radar shots it seems like the rains were always east of us for a long time). Does that jive with you guys?

[davidsargee_imp]

Thanks for the info guys, sounds like April will be a good time. I plan to head straight west out of DFW on April 4th via, (I think it's highway 180, might be 380), into Hobbs, NM, then head north a little ways to Roswell. First night in Roswell, (might look for aliens ) .

From Roswell, on up to the Trinity site at White Sands Missile Range, it is open to the public on the first Saturday in April. I have a friend with a camp in the Taos area, will spend second night there. Then across Indian Country down I-40 to Flagstaff and north to the Grand Canyon. Camp there, then head down I-17 through the Sedona-Cottonwood area, probably spend a night in this area. From there I go down into the valley, through Phoenix, and on to Tuscon. I plan to gorge myself on Carne Asada burritos at a place I know about in Tuscon. From there it is back east on I-10, perhaps a detour down into Tombstone, if time permits. Finally, back east through NM again and across Texas to Fort Worth.

It's going to be around a 2400 mile trip, I'll be posting pics of the trip on the forum, perhaps some of us can meet when I'm passing close to y'all. That would undoubtedly be fun.

Thanks again for the info,

Regards,

David

[flynrider]

Sounds like a great trip. I grew up in Las Cruces, NM and used to work at White Sands Missile Range ( Jr. rocket scientist ). When you're in the area I suggest a stop at White Sands Nat'l Monument. Miles of tall, white, gypsum sand dunes. Very cool place.

[davidsargee_imp]

Thanks for the tip, will do.

[soggybottom_imp]

I think March 28th - April 6th is Arizona Bike Week, google to be sure, Its mainly in Scottsdale/Cave Creek area. ZZtop and Lynyrd Skynyrd will be performing. Its no Daytona or Sturgis but it kinda fun, I mainly go for the demo rides on wed. and thur. when everybody is at work, a few years ago I got 17 rides in! Mostly a Harley fest but everybody goes, lots of bar hoping, dealer events, vendors, food.
I don't know about the bar parties but I've never seen any trouble around town, always well mannered. There are lots of events and info on the website.

[rboe]

I avoid the roads and the bike during AZ Bike Week. Too many jerks on the road.

[Elipten_imp]

Alamogordo has a great space museum and a small zoo that is the first zoo west do Saint Louis and as said the White Sands and Ruidoso is a nice place to ride


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