Mojave Desert Climate and Seasons
The Mojave region receives less than 10 inches (250 mm) of rain in a year, which falls unevenly. Only 3 cm usually falls in the California desert area. Scientists call the Mojave a rain shadow desert because the surrounding mountains block rain. The people of Bagdad, California once went without rain for 767 days.
Throughout the region there extreme temperatures and four distinct seasons:
In winter the temperature falls to 20 degrees F (-7 C) on the valley floors and below 0 degrees F (-18 C) at higher points. Storms from the Pacific can bring rain and snow, causing roads to be closed and people to be “snowed in”. But rain shadow created by the mountain ranges at the borders of the region, brings only clouds and wind. Temperatures between the storms can reach 80 degrees F (27 C).
In spring there are still storms from the Pacific, and rainfall is more widespread. By June the Pacific storms are rare and temperatures after mid May can be above 90 degrees F (32 C), and often over 100 F (38 C).
Summer is hot and the North American monsoon brings low humidity and temperatures on the valley floors of up to 130 degrees F (54 C). Because of the low humidity and heat, moisture is sucked from the Gulf of Mexico creating thunderstorms in the southwest of the region from June to September. Temperatures in Death Valley can reach 120 degrees Fahrenheit in late July, early August.
Autumn is more pleasant, with rain from only one or two storms. October is one of the driest and sunniest months in the Mojave with temperatures between 70 and 90 degrees F (21 to 32 C) on the valley floors.
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