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Phoenix has a hot desert climate (Köppen: BWh), [1] [2] typical of the Sonoran Desert, and is the largest city in America in this climatic zone. [3] Phoenix has long, extremely hot summers and short, mild winters. The city is within one of the world's sunniest regions, with its sunshine duration comparable to the Sahara region.
The Sonoran Desert near Tucson, Arizona during winter. Many plants not only survive, but thrive in the harsh conditions of the Sonoran Desert. Many have evolved specialized adaptations to the desert climate. The Sonoran Desert's bi-seasonal rainfall pattern results in more plant species than any other desert in the world. [2]
This region is also part of the transition zone between the Nearctic and Neotropical realms and as such habitats of the region range from sparse semi-desert in the north to dry forest in the south. It covers an area of 51,000 km 2 (20,000 sq mi) from sea level to 2,000 m (6,600 ft).
Around the coastal areas, the weather does not vary as dramatically as it does inland. Climate is affected by factors such as latitude, topography, and proximity to water masses - primarily the Pacific Ocean, and southern California's mountain ranges. The Transverse Ranges and the Peninsular Ranges are key players in the region's climate.
Parts of Arizona located in the Sonoran Desert have warm daytime temperatures year round, while other parts of the state experience seasonal coldness regularly. The average daily temperatures of Yuma, which is located near Arizona's southwestern corner, range from 43 to 67 °F (6 to 19 °C) in January, and from 81 to 107 °F (27 to 42 °C) in July.
Köppen climate types in Arizona show a preponderance of arid and desert environments. Climate change in Arizona encompasses the effects of climate change, attributed to man-made increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide, in the U.S. state of Arizona. It has been asserted that Arizona "will suffer more than most of U.S." due to climate change. [1]
The Imperial Dunes in the Yuma Desert. The Yuma Desert is a lower-elevation section of the Sonoran Desert in the southwestern United States and the northwest of Mexico. It lies in the Salton basin. The desert contains areas of sparse vegetation and has notable areas of sand dunes. With an average annual rainfall of less than 8 inches (200 mm ...
It constitutes the largest continuous wilderness area within the Sonoran Desert. The eastern portion of the area contains the volcanic Pinacate Peaks region; together with the western portion, the area forms the El Pinacate y Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site .