While we due endure the summer heat, our desert rewards us with world-class views and spectacular summer skies. Joshua National Park Ranger Pam Tripp says take a closer look at those summer clouds…
They gently move in, sometimes from the east, sometimes from the west. And sometimes they just seem to stall and gather off in the distance. They cast long graceful shadows on the mountain ranges and valley floors, providing a respite from the brutally hot sun. They can let loose and pour rain in some areas and skip over and spit in others. At night, they provide a spectacular light show as they slowly move around us. At sunrise and sunset, they paint a breath-taking vista filled with warm hues of reds, oranges, and purples. These puffy, white cumulus clouds are usually met with different reactions. They can bring the promise of much needed rainfall or the dread of a jump in humidity that causes most of us to wilt. But this cyclic weather pattern has its benefits. High humidity will cause morning dew to develop on the desert surface, where animals, insects and birds can take advantage of the moisture. For more information on our desert climate and current weather conditions, contact the Visitor Center at 760-367-5500.
A SECOND LOOK AT THOSE SUMMER CLOUDS
