Rain in the desert

[JunkdrawerDog]

When I lived in the Midwest, the weather was a constant topic of discussion. Because of the agriculture, the weather affected many people's livelihoods. I live in Las Vegas now and people don't talk about the weather as much. There's no agriculture to speak of and the weather is pretty much blue skies and sunshine most days.

 

[burbguy82]

I was lucky enough to be in Vegas for some thunderstorms a couple years ago. They were amazing. Back home we have trees and stuff to muffle the sound, but the desert muffles nothing. Great show.

Maybe once a year, some of the most spectacular lightning shows on earth. Loved it as a kid.

 

[spackard]

I was watching the rain come down on the Needles, CA cam last night. 3.5” in 90 minutes. Two tracks nearest cam were underwater. Maybe 4 hours later the water all sunk into the ground. Power to most of the yard was out.

 

[Bob in Utah]

Rain is great…Except when it’s too much too fast

As in this pic last week in central Utah

Highway was closed two separate days for cleanup after 2 storms

 

[Bob in Utah]

Temps before monsoonal moisture moved in..humidity up to 40% now

It’s a dry heat…

 

[UncleDave]

It has been raining this week. People who do not live it the desert really cannot appreciate how much desert dwellers like rain. The bad part is the extreme humidity, as high as 50-60 percent all week. Last evening we got a real nice downpour, with a river running down the street into the basin. You have to like that because you know it can soak in at the basin to recharge the aquifer.

The neighbor's Palo Verde blew over a couple of days ago. I told him he was giving it too much water. You need to let desert trees be dry enough that they put down deep roots. He was running his irrigation for an hour 3 times a week. We run our for 15 minutes when it is dry.

I had a house in Parker Az for about 15 years and the desert rains were an incredible experience.

 

[Bob in Utah]

June ‘22

FF to 8:00

 

[2005jettatdi]

June ‘22

FF to 8:00

If if did something as stupid as driving up a wash in the rain, I would not post a video about it. Then, when I high centered my vehicle I would not stand in the bite of the line when trying to tow it out. People have died doing that stunt. Then there is the guy being washed down in the flood leaving his window open...

 

[MHartfield]

The neighbor's Palo Verde blew over a couple of days ago. I told him he was giving it too much water. You need to let desert trees be dry enough that they put down deep roots. He was running his irrigation for an hour 3 times a week. We run our for 15 minutes when it is dry.

I live in Bullhead City; probably +10 degrees from Kingman, but, I'm curious...

3 months ago, I planted the 1st of 4 Palo Verde trees. I agree with you that too much water for these trees is a problem. When you say you run yours for 15 minutes, is that a drip system, sprinklers, or something else? And, how do you determine when it's "dry"? I've been using a moisture meter I bought from Star Nurserys, but it only goes down about 10".

Thanks.
Mike

 

[Passport1]

I was in Saudi Arabia once when it rained hard, a gully washer. A few days later the desert was as green as a new pool table. The seeds hiding in the sand are very opportunistic.

 

[Skippy722]

A couple weeks ago the humidity was 4%. 10% or less is common, except during monsoon season. When you are used to such low humidity 30% is pretty high. When it is dry, mid 90s temp is comfortable. When the humidity is high, 90 degrees is not comfortable. That is life in the desert. We chose to live here because we like it, rattlesnakes, scorpions, tarantulas* and all.

*I always enjoy seeing tarantulas. They are quite harmless and entertaining. Because we are already seeing tarantulas now I am hoping for a big march of the spiders in September.

This sounds absolutely horrifying, what do you mean a big March of spiders?!

 

[2005jettatdi]

I live in Bullhead City; probably +10 degrees from Kingman, but, I'm curious...

3 months ago, I planted the 1st of 4 Palo Verde trees. I agree with you that too much water for these trees is a problem. When you say you run yours for 15 minutes, is that a drip system, sprinklers, or something else? And, how do you determine when it's "dry"? I've been using a moisture meter I bought from Star Nurserys, but it only goes down about 10".

Thanks.
Mike

Drip irrigation. It does not go to the Palo Verde, I expect it to reach out to where the water is. I just estimate based on the weather. Less water in the winter, more in the summer, except when it rains. They are turned off right now. No moisture meter, just guessing. It has worked fine, so far.

 

[2005jettatdi]

This sounds absolutely horrifying, what do you mean a big March of spiders?!

You will just have to come and see it. What sounds horrifying is the humidity you get up there. We live in the desert because we like it here, tarantulas and all.

You probably aren't used to seeing several people packing a pistol at Home Depot, the restaurant, or grocery store either.

 

[Nick1994]

I live in Bullhead City; probably +10 degrees from Kingman, but, I'm curious...

3 months ago, I planted the 1st of 4 Palo Verde trees. I agree with you that too much water for these trees is a problem. When you say you run yours for 15 minutes, is that a drip system, sprinklers, or something else? And, how do you determine when it's "dry"? I've been using a moisture meter I bought from Star Nurserys, but it only goes down about 10".

Thanks.
Mike

The biggest issue with Pablo Verde “trees” is that people trim them to be “trees”, and they get too top heavy and snap or blow over. In the wild, they’re the ugliest things you’ve ever seen because they’re basically giant bushes, and aerodynamically they don’t snap like top heavy trimmed ones.

 

[Skippy722]

You will just have to come and see it. What sounds horrifying is the humidity you get up there. We live in the desert because we like it here, tarantulas and all.

You probably aren't used to seeing several people packing a pistol at Home Depot, the restaurant, or grocery store either.

I carry And while the humidity is godawful I'm absolutely terrified of spiders

Fun fact, we call it corn sweat! Though dew points in the mid 70s is just downright disrespectful

 

[MHartfield]

Drip irrigation. It does not go to the Palo Verde, I expect it to reach out to where the water is. I just estimate based on the weather. Less water in the winter, more in the summer, except when it rains. They are turned off right now. No moisture meter, just guessing. It has worked fine, so far.

Thanks.
Mike