September temperatures in the southwestern low desert, Southern Tier

[glamis.support]

Finally! After brutal heat May, June, July, August and the first 2 weeks of September, I can report that we are projected to have our early morning cool hours of travel for cyclists passing on the Southern Tier between El Centro and Phoenix.
September 15th is a good average estimate to pass through the Arizona/California border without unbearable conditions.
Dawn is just before 5 am.
Traveling from 4 am to 11am is comfortable enough. The rest of the day will heat up until 7 pm.
The early morning temperatures have been in the high 70's.
By 10 am it is hot, upper 90's, possibly slipping into the low 100's until the end of the month or even
early October.
The monsoons are over. Perfect clear skies.
Rattlesnakes are still active and out on the roads especially in the dusk and nights.

See you in Palo Verde on the Colorado River.
Nancy's Bike Camp

[glamis.support]

The actual sunrise is around 6:30 am.
Most cyclists who cross the long desolate 68 mile stretch of the ST low desert between Brawley and Palo Verde depart as early as 4 am to arrive in Palo Verde before noon.
September 18 still seeing 102 temperatures by noon continuing all afternoon to sunset.

27 miles traveling east on Hwy 78 from Brawley you will find Glamis at the end of a 5 mile crossing of immense sand dune desert.
Glamis  is not a town, it is a convenience store that opens at 7 am and closes at 1 pm during summer hours.
It begins to stay open later to 5 pm in mid October.
There is a large front porch with picnic tables and a shading roof. But no water available after closing hours.

AVOID Hwy 78 between Brawley and Palo Verde on any 3 day weekend or holiday weekend as you will be "sharing" a narrow 2 lane road with no shoulders with thousands of Recreational Vehicles hauling sand dune buggies. Plus the usual semi truck traffic. Forget this passage on weekends in the winter.

West of Glamis on Hwy 78 is a roller coaster, 2 lane with no shoulders with low visibility due to the deep dips and sharply rising hills. Your Adventure Cycling map illustration does not aptly reveal this 30 mile roller coaster.

Further down Hwy 78 about 15 miles or so is the border patrol station that offers a bit of shade. If you are not a US citizen they may ask for your passport. In an emergency, they can provide water.

I have seen many a cyclist huddling under a creosote bush, overcome with the sun and heat between the months of May to mid October. It is a challenging passage and very easy to underestimate the amount of water and electrolytes needed to stay alert. About half of the cyclists that I stop to inquire their status or those who I host have run out of water during the summer months ( May 1 to October 15).

The desert is vast and mesmerizing, peaceful and quieting. Cross during the early morning hours from May to October.

See you in Palo Verde on the Colorado River!
Nancy

[wbst31]

What are the temperature ranges between May 1 and May 15 out there? Just looking for averages.

Thanks,

William Becker
Fort Myers, FL
wbst31 

[glamis.support]

What are the temperature ranges between May 1 and May 15 out there? Just looking for averages.

William Becker
Fort Myers, FL
wbst31

Hey William,
May is already heating up. The night time temperatures cooling between 9 pm until dawn around the mid 70's.
When the sun comes up around 6:00 am, the blast is on. May temperatures can be expected to be in the low 100's every day. Heat continues into the evening.
Check for wind speed. Expect the desert winds to change direction and increase in gusts after noon.
If it is windy in the morning, expect wind all day.
Remember that we have long distances 60 to 80 miles between services, shade and water sources.
100 degree heat is formidable for any traveler. Travel in the morning from 4 to 11 am.
Snakes are just coming out, cactus are blooming.
Good cycling!