Forum Discussion

MEXICOWANDERER's avatar
Jun 17, 2017

Date Sensitive Lukeville Temperature Warning

A cut and paste...

"With up to 122 on the horizon, Palm Springs will have cooling centers in community centers and libraries, and Phoenix and nonprofit groups are planning water stations to help the homeless and others.

Palm Springs has soared above 120 several times, most recently hitting 122 on June 29, 2013.

The National Weather Service in Phoenix said the last time the temperature topped 120 was 1995, at 121. The record high is 122 degrees, set on June 26, 1990.

In the Arizona desert near the U.S.-Mexico border, the heat can be so deadly that the Border Patrol reassigns agents and resources to areas that are especially dangerous for immigrants"


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This is no joke. Temperatures in the 120's are dangerous. I would be sorely tempted to not travel until the heat wave subsides. My toad air conditioner fought hard to reduce temperature from 122F to 111F. Exterior metal so hot it burned to touch it. intolerable screaming pain to roll down window because of blast-furnace temps. Like aiming a hair dryer at your arm at 18" distance. When I reached Laughlin, NV the temperature was 104F at five minutes past midnight.

29 Replies

  • Almot's avatar
    Almot
    Explorer III
    mexicoruss wrote:
    When we hit El Golfo de Santa Clara Sonora the sea breeze was actually nice

    There is no breeze in Arizona desert.

    I understand that Mex is not a tourist. For Mexicans and expats living on the same level, trips North are usually something of necessity, doctors appointments etc. Schedule is tight and so is the budget. When you have to go, you have to go. Max distance is to be covered in a short time, additional stops in camps or hotels on the way aren't always desirable. The hottest I've been in, was upper 90s, 120F must be deadly.
  • We were in Needles all last week but had to come home to Penasco today. We planned accordingly for the almost 7 hour drive and left at 4 am getting us across the hottest part of the desert before it really heated up. When we hit El Golfo de Santa Clara Sonora the sea breeze was actually nice and we got home with no mechanical breakdowns due to the heat. Always carry lots of water when in the desert. Oh and Mike I didn't know you liked golf.....
  • These must be fake news posts as a certain person states that climate change is a hoax.

    Moisheh
  • Hi Mex,

    Why did you not turn back? It is frightening. Thanks for sharing this information.


    MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
    Between the border patrol checkpoint, and I-8, the temperature on 08/11/2011 actually increased from 122F. i could not believe it. The sun coming through the driver side window was so hot it was burning my arm. The toad engine temp was one needle width from "H"

    I feared for the toad's tires. I reduced speed to 45 MPH (converter lockup), and prayed. Not one single vehicle seen for 50+ miles. If the car quit, there is little doubt I would have died.

    This all sounds amusing until a person is hip deep in it. I carried 7-1/2 gallons of water and a Home Depot spray bottle. Spraying water into the radiator cooled engine temps to between the operating temp sweep line and H on the engine temp.

    I will never do that again. No way.
  • Naio's avatar
    Naio
    Explorer II
    Gah, that sounds horrible. And scary.

    Crossing the Mohave last year, my van AC at max kept the interior at 105 degrees. Cats do not like wind, but mine eventually came around to the goodness of water on the fur plus usb fan. I alternated him and me.

    I was with a competent human friend and there were towns along the well-traveled route. Very different.

    It was a hot year. We waited for the coolest day! It was maybe 110 outside. Not 120.
  • Thanks Mex for sharing your personal experience! Awesome information for all of us!!!
  • Between the border patrol checkpoint, and I-8, the temperature on 08/11/2011 actually increased from 122F. i could not believe it. The sun coming through the driver side window was so hot it was burning my arm. The toad engine temp was one needle width from "H"

    I feared for the toad's tires. I reduced speed to 45 MPH (converter lockup), and prayed. Not one single vehicle seen for 50+ miles. If the car quit, there is little doubt I would have died.

    This all sounds amusing until a person is hip deep in it. I carried 7-1/2 gallons of water and a Home Depot spray bottle. Spraying water into the radiator cooled engine temps to between the operating temp sweep line and H on the engine temp.

    I will never do that again. No way.
  • Worst I've been in was 117. I started running the roof air from a generator as I was driving in a class C.
  • It's 77 and over cast here right now in Wisconsin. PERFECT weather for the US Open which is 10 miles from my house.