Archive for: December 2021

Could Phoenix break the "Big 4" rain record?

28 December 2021 - Posted in Weather Facts by Weather Bus

Nothing beats fun weather facts, and here's an interesting one! Since Phoenix weather records began in 1896, measurable rain has never fallen on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day in the same season!

In fact, measurable rain has only been recorded on at least three of the "Big 4" three times.

This year (2021) it is possible we could break the record and have the first year with measurable rain on all four days! Phoenix already recorded a record-setting 1" of rain on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day managed to get another 0.01". There is a good chance of rain on New Year's Eve but the trick will be New Year's Day as rain chances will quickly come to an end around midnight. Can we keep the rain going just a few hours longer? Time will tell!

At the very least, this year will likely join the ranks and become the 4th time rain has fallen on at least three of the big holidays.

Wettest Christmas Eve On Record In Phoenix

28 December 2021 - Posted in Weather Records by Weather Bus

Christmas Eve 2021 will go down in the record books as the wettest since records began in 1896! Phoenix Sky Harbor measured 1.00" of rain, breaking the old record of 0.93" set back in 1944.

This marks only the 13th time measurable rain has fallen on Christmas Eve in Phoenix!

If you like rain, this was certainly a nice present from Mother Nature!

Phoenix's 58-day dry streak ends!

10 December 2021 - Posted in Weather Facts by Weather Bus

It rained! Around 7:35 pm on December 9th, the rain gauge at Phoenix Sky Harbor measured the first 0.01" since October 11th!

While this dry streak certainly felt like a long one, it is nowhere near the record, which stands at 160 days (no rain from December 30, 1971 through June 6, 1972).

As for rainfall totals with this past storm, Phoenix Sky Harbor officially picked up 0.35", bringing the yearly total to 5.93". The year-to-date average is 6.71", so we still have some work to do before the end of the year.

Record-setting start to December in Phoenix with a high of 85º

01 December 2021 - Posted in Weather Records by Weather Bus

It might be December, but this afternoon the high was 85º, which is the average high we usually see at the end of October! This high also broke the record for the day, with the old record being 83º set in 1949.

Temperatures at or above 85º in December are very rare. In fact, there have only been three other times since 1896 where the high in December was 85º+. It happened two times in 1980 (86º on December 16th and 85º on December 26th) and one time in 1950 (87º on December 10th).

There is good news on the horizon with slightly cooler temperatures, albeit still above average, moving into the weather picture by the weekend.