melisa

I have been reading the posts to the board and am utterly astonished by the fluxes in temperature in the Tucson area. We are planning our trip over New Years and I'm wondering how I should pack. We'll be driving from Phoenix to Tucson. We plan to see some of the reservations and would like to do some light hiking but no skiing. I'm assuming the temps will be in the low-mid 60's during the day and drop to the 30s/40s overnight. Does this sound about right, or should I just pack for every season?
Thanks!

mom

In the desert, once the sun sets it gets cold fast. So the temps you are seeing forecast are probably right. In March it was warm and sunny days, really chilly at night. Just be sure to take a light jacket and some cotton sweaters for layering. Tees also, under the sweaters.

Trish

Tucson in January:
Avg daily high: 64
Daily low: 39
Avg snowfall: 0.3 inches
Clear days in January: 14
Rainy days in January: 5
Days below 32 degrees: 6
Days above 70: 9

hopingtotravel

I too am wondering about the January weather in Tucson. If the average daily high is 64, are people lounging around hotel pools? I live in the far north so have no conception. Don't laugh. We went to Canyon de Chelly one October and were absolutely MELTING but the hotel pools were closed for winter.

Lori

I live in Tucson and it can be "cold" in Jan. and Feb. Perhaps not cold by Minnesota (for example) standards, but cold if you live here year round Generally it is in the 60's during the day, altho it can be in the 50's or even 70's -- but figure 60's. Nights get cold, it can drop into the 20's but normally it is more like 35-45 degrees. It can also rain .. and I mean rain. Basically it is pretty varied in the winter so I would bring a coat/jacket of some sort, nothing super heavy but a jacket just the same.

As for swimming in the pools at the hotels, all the major resort hotels have heated pools and yes people swim, but personally if it were 55 degrees outside I would not be thinking pool weather !!

hopingtotravel

Thanks. I guess 'high season' gave me a picture of people cavorting by pools. I'm not a swimmer anyway; I just use the description as a sort of temperature barometer. I will figure on it being cooler than I had planned.

cactushugger

I'm also going to Tucson over the holidays. My advice is go prepared for anything! A friend and I were there in January ('01 think!). We wore shorts and tees, we also wore jeans and sweaters and jackets. It depended on the day and where we went. If you take the wonderful scenic drive up MT. Lemon, for example, it will be quite cool at the top - even if it is warm down in tucson.

Have a great trip...I plan to. I just LOVE that area.
Gretchen