TUCSON, Ariz. — Desert-dwelling Arizonans already have huge bragging rights when it comes to winter weather conditions. But news from an Alaskan climatologist really solidifies how lucky Grand Canyon State residents are.
While the rest of the country deals with frigid temperatures, snow, and ice, a portion of Arizonans experience nothing but warm temperatures and sunshine.
The state's weather conditions have even created a new term for a specific kind of travelers known as "snowbirds." The tourists, or sometimes part-time residents, are known for traveling to Arizona to escape from the bitter cold elsewhere.
Data recently posted by a climatologist may expose one place where snowbirds are coming from: Fairbanks, Alaska.
"How little solar energy does Fairbanks receive in December, for the entire month, they receive the same solar energy as Tucson, AZ, does by 8:30 a.m. on Dec 1st," climatologist Brian Brettschneider posted on Twitter.
The National Weather Service station in Tucson chimed in to continue to long-standing Arizona tradition of bragging about our weather by sharing a meme of Oprah saying everyone gets a cactus.
To celebrate, here are some activities Tucsonians and other desert-based Arizonans can take part in during winter that no one else can:
Stroll the Tucson Botanical Garden during Wanderland
Desert foliage doesn't have the same risk of being snowed on or frozen over compared to other areas during the winter. Visitors over the Tucson Botanical Garden also don't have to button up when viewing some of Arizona's native plants.
The garden is holding its illuminated winter light walk called "Wanderland" from Dec. 3 through Jan. 2.
The event includes "more than 3,000 luminarias, over a dozen stunning Korean lanterns, 200+ elegant poinsettias, a 10’ tall succulent tree, a colorful array of LED lighting, and festive holiday music playing throughout the Gardens," the gardens' website said.
See some sun-bathing animals and "snow" at Reid Park Zoo
Have you ever gotten snowed on in short sleeves?
Well, now you can. The city's Reid Park Zoo pumps out artificial snow for visitors during its Zoolights 2021: Holiday Magic event.
The zoo's event runs from Dec. 3 through Dec. 30. Each night offers a different kind of holiday-themed entertainment by local performers.
Take a hayride, trolley or party bike to see Winterhaven's Festival of Lights
Though last year's festival was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year's is officially back on.
The festival started the same year that the town of Winterhaven was founded: 1949. What began as an homage to the holiday lights seen in Beverly Hills has now taken up a life of its own as one of Tucson's premiere holiday attractions.
This year's celebration marks the town's 72nd year holding the event and is one of the biggest sources of support for the city's food bank, according to the event's website.
"The Festival is one the most important events for the Community Food Bank in Tucson," the website said. "In 2019, $22,015 and 46,474 pounds of food were donated to the Food Bank through the Festival."
Hike some ice-free desert trails
There are numerous trails in and around Tucson that nature lovers can savor during the winter months.
Thousands of people have rated trails throughout the area and came up with the 10 best, including:
- Bear Canyon to Seven Falls Trail
- Blackett's Ridge Trail
- Tanque Verde Falls Trail
- Tumamoc Hill
- Seven Falls via Bear Canyon Road
- Bridal Wreath Falls Trail
- Pima Canyon Trail
- Catalina Canyon Loop Trail
- Mount Kimball via Finger Rock Trail #42 and Pima Canyon Trail #62
- Lunda Vista Loop Trail
WE ❤ ARIZONA
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