What is the Coldest City in Arizona? What You Need To Know!
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Kristin Hitchcock
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The coldest town in Arizona is McNary, which is located about 14 miles from Hawley Lake, and holds the record for the coldest place in Arizona. For the most part, this city will likely be the coldest in the foreseeable future. Very few people live on or around the lake due to the cold.
The record for the coldest temperature in Arizona was reached in a wooden shelter just off the lake was -40.
If you don’t live in Arizona, this may come as a bit of a shock. Most people don’t realize that Arizona does get quite cold. However, it is quite warm in the spring and summer months, when you can actually swim in Hawley Lake without much of a problem.
However, it cools down very quickly in the winter, which is much of the problem.
Hawley Lake is not one where most people live. It is a fishing and recreation site for the most part, with the nearest town being 14 miles away. It is managed by the White Mountain Apache Tribe and is used by those that live there. There are some log cabins in the area, which are rented or abandoned. No one lives in these cabins full time, likely because milder places are close by.
There are also serious snowstorms in Arizona, and you can often go skiing in some areas. There are some cold spells that freeze vehicles in their path and make the roads impassable. However, because of the elevation, you can never know what you’re going to get.
What Part of Arizona Isn’t Hot?
Many people believe that Arizona is a desert. However, this isn’t necessarily the case. Arizona can be quite cold. They even have skiing areas in higher elevations! Therefore, you can easily find areas that aren’t too hot.
Still, many of these areas do not stay very cold in the spring or winter. It can get quite hot in these areas. Therefore, there is no area in Arizona that is always cold. Instead, the temperature often differs.
The cooler areas in Arizona are mostly in higher elevations. Therefore, if you want to stay cooler than Phoenix, we recommend living somewhere at a higher elevation. However, these higher areas also get more snow and get colder in the winter. They do not stay mild. Be sure this is what you want before you move there.
In particular, many people looking for cooler areas in Arizona are in and around Arizona’s White Mountains. These places are a great option for those that like to hike and enjoy other outdoor recreation, as they often have lots of nature trails and similar areas.
Where is the Mildest Climate in Arizona?
The mildest climate in Arizona is typically along the Colorado River. These areas have a lower elevation, so they don’t get as cold as it does in the mountains. However, they also have a constant breeze from the river, which helps cut through the heat.
Yuma is one of these cities. The rainfall level is quite low in this area, as well, making it less humid than other areas. In fact, it has been called one of the sunniest cities on the planet, since it sees mostly days of sunshine. Yuma is commonly considered to have the best weather in the state.
What Cities in Arizona have Four Seasons?
Many areas in Arizona enjoy all four seasons. As you move up in elevation, the temperature tends to drop. These areas are more likely to experience all four seasons. However, they are also more likely to have lots of snow.
On the Colorado River, some areas are milder and have multiple seasons. However, this varies depending on exactly where the city is.
Many people often consider Arizona to be a desert. However, this doesn’t accurately describe many areas in Arizona. Some locations can get quite cold, especially in the mountains.
Conclusion
We highly recommend that those looking for a colder climate move somewhere higher elevation. These areas are often colder and have more snowfall. Therefore, they are not nearly as cold as other areas. The White Mountains are the mildest place in Arizona and often get much colder than areas of low elevation.
Areas around the Colorado River are also cooler since they enjoy the breeze off the river.
All of Arizona is not a hot desert. In fact, some areas can reach many degrees below zero and even get enough snow for skiing.
Featured Image Credit: LHBLLC, Shutterstock
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