What comes to mind when you think about Phoenix, Arizona? For most people, the word HOT comes to mind. Phoenix is famous for its scorching hot summers, where daily high temperatures exceed 100 F (38 C) during June, July, and August. Due to its location in the Sonoran Desert, Phoenix is under an extreme heat advisory (temperatures of 110 F or 43 C) for an average of 42 days per year. You might wonder: how do people live in Phoenix?
About Phoenix
With a population of 1.67 million, Phoenix is the 5th largest city in the United States by population. The Greater Phoenix area has a population of 5.18 million, making it the 10th largest metro area in the United States.
The Greater Phoenix area comprises more than 20 individual cities and towns, with suburban communities sprawling outward from the city center, connected by a network of freeways. The region consistently ranks among the fastest-growing metro areas in the country. Growth has always been part of Phoenix’s history. Why do people keep moving to Phoenix despite the extreme summer heat?
Adapting to the Extreme Heat
I was born in Phoenix and have lived here my entire life. Growing up here, I learned to adapt to the heat. Things like wearing light colored, loose-fitting clothing and bringing water are standard, as is minimizing outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day.
The houses and buildings are adapted to the heat. Covered porches and patios extend beyond the roofline of many homes. Overhanging roofs offer some shade. Turbine vents sprout from the rooftops of houses, pulling warm air out of attic spaces. The metal door handles of many restaurants and shops have covers to prevent guests from burning their hands during the summer months.
People of the Sun
Beyond the buildings, our lifestyles are adapted to the heat. We stay indoors as much as possible during the summer months. Activities like getting the mail, taking out the trash or walking the dog are postponed until after sunset.
The home is a bit like a space station, protecting the occupants from the hostile climate outside. The air conditioner is the life support system, humming constantly in the background for months on end to keep the fragile humans inside alive.
Summers feel long when you stay indoors so much. Day after day, you wait for the seasons to change so you can go outside again. Some years, the region goes for 100 days or more without a drop of rain.
When the cooler weather returns, it is like waking up from a period of hibernation. You can go outside again! Walking the dog, hiking the mountain preserve, going to the shops, become pleasant activities once again.
If you move to Phoenix from out of state, this way of life seems strange. If you are born into it, it is normalized. For better or worse, Phoenix is my home.
