If Phoenix is that hot, why do so many move there? (Flagstaff: ski resort, unemployment)

[Finger Laker]

not sure where in the midwest you are referencing, but flagstaff doesn't really have that bad of a winter either .... good amounts of snow for sure, but it's not that bad there

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

Originally Posted by MNtoAZ

In reading this thread, I have gone back and forth so many times with whether moving my family to Phoenix next fall is the right thing to do. But then, I always fall back to IT CAN'T BE WORSE THAN A MINNESOTA WINTER. Six-seven months of bitter cold, ice and snow storms, howling winds...not to mention having to warm the car, shovel the drive, bundle yourself and the family. I still think moving to Phoenix is BY FAR the right decision for us!

It's not 6-7 months of "bitter cold, ice and snow storms, and howling winds".

This past year in MN was as bad as it gets. If you remember, it was warm through mid-November. It was actually in the high 60's to low 70's. But the average temperatures in MN for November 1st is 49 degrees. So I'll give you mid-November though the end of March (that's as long as I can stretch it) which is 4.5 months. In fact, by the end of March the average high is 48 degrees. Source: Minneapolis/St. Paul Metro Area Climate Page But as you know it's not bitter cold, windy and snowy all the time. There generally are "warm" days that melt the snow. I remember several examples throughout the years were the temperatures in February are in the 50's. See February Climate Calendar for Minneapolis/St. Paul (showing record highs).

[MNtoAZ]

Originally Posted by MN-Born-n-Raised

It's not 6-7 months of "bitter cold, ice and snow storms, and howling winds".

This past year in MN was as bad as it gets. If you remember, it was warm through mid-November. It was actually in the high 60's to low 70's. But the average temperatures in MN for November 1st is 49 degrees. So I'll give you mid-November though the end of March (that's as long as I can stretch it) which is 4.5 months. In fact, by the end of March the average high is 48 degrees. Source: Minneapolis/St. Paul Metro Area Climate Page But as you know it's not bitter cold, windy and snowy all the time. There generally are "warm" days that melt the snow. I remember several examples throughout the years were the temperatures in February are in the 50's. See February Climate Calendar for Minneapolis/St. Paul (showing record highs).

I do not live in Mpls. We usually have the same snow October 15-April 15.

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

Originally Posted by MNtoAZ

I do not live in Mpls. We usually have the same snow October 15-April 15.

Even if you lived in International Falls MN which is considered THE "Icebox" of MN, the temps might be on average 6-7 degrees cooler than in MPLS. In October, the average high temp in International Falls is 50 degrees. In April, the average temp is 51 degrees (source International Falls, Minnesota - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia ).

Sorry. It's not 6-7 months of "bitter cold, ice and snow storms, and howling winds" anywhere in MN. You are remembering things worse than it really is. Therefore there is no possible way you have the same snow on the ground from October 15th to April 15th. No way no how!

[chazk14]

Phoenix is only hot for about 4-5 months a year. The other 7-8 months are perfect. Flagstaff while it doesn't have bitter cold temperatures gets a ton more snow than anywhere in the Midwest. Minneapolis's snowiest winter on record is lower than our average.

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

Originally Posted by CinSonic

Phoenix is only hot for about 4-5 months a year. The other 7-8 months are perfect. Flagstaff while it doesn't have bitter cold temperatures gets a ton more snow than anywhere in the Midwest. Minneapolis's snowiest winter on record is lower than our average.

That's why I dragged down my ski's to AZ. I plan on skiing in Flagstaff!!

The ski resorts in MN are CONSTANTLY making snow. Why?? There isn't enough snow to cover the measily 250 vertical hill and it is constantly melting when the temps jump well over freezing several times in December and in February.

Originally Posted by CinSonic

Flagstaff gets a ton more snow than anywhere in the Midwest.

I need to correct you on this statement. Flagstaff gets 100" a year on average. Check this place out Upper Peninsula of Michigan - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Records of 390 inches (990 cm) of snow or more have been set in many communities in this area.[20] The Keweenaw Peninsula averages more snowfall than almost anywhere in the United States—more than anywhere east of the Mississippi River and the most of all non-mountainous regions of the continental United States.[21]"

That would be 4 times more snow that Flagstaff AND it is in the Midwest! On average, it's about 2.5x more snow that Flagstaff and it's a short drive from Duluth MN.

[MNtoAZ]

Correct, the snow here in MN doesn't last. Half the time it is too cold to snow. I hate this place. I can't imagine Siberia being worse.

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

Originally Posted by MNtoAZ

Correct, the snow here in MN doesn't last. Half the time it is too cold to snow. I hate this place. I can't imagine Siberia being worse.

Average Temps Siberia Russia:
Jan 10 F
Feb 13 F
March 27.3 F
April 46.6 F
May 63.5 F
June 75.2 F
July 78.3 F
Aug 72 F
Sept 61.9 F
Oct 44.2 F
Nov 26.8 F
Dec 16 F


Uless you are talking about this Siberia.
Weather for Siberia, CA
96F and Sunny!

[MNtoAZ]

Originally Posted by MN-Born-n-Raised

Average Temps Siberia Russia:
Jan 10 F
Feb 13 F
March 27.3 F
April 46.6 F
May 63.5 F
June 75.2 F
July 78.3 F
Aug 72 F
Sept 61.9 F
Oct 44.2 F
Nov 26.8 F
Dec 16 F

OK, Let's use Grand Rapids, MN, for example:

I had a problem copy/pasting. But if you look at the MEAN on weather.com for Grand Rapids, MN...it is eerily similar!

[Cebucats]

Looks like up-state Maine where I was born and grew up. Maybe a little warmer than Maine.