The Climate of Moab, Utah

     Moab, Utah is classified as a high desert region, according to the Discover Moab website. Furthermore, its climate is considered a cold semi-arid steppe climate, as defined by the Weather Spark website. While spring and autumn are the peak seasons for Moab tourism due to its unique climate, the region maintains its beauty throughout the winter as well.

This photo highlights the autumn beauty of the formation
called Courthouse Wash, located in Arches National Park.
The spring and autumn seasons are prime times to visit Moab.
Photo courtesy of:Ron Niebrugge/WildNatureImages.com
and www.my-photo-blog.com

This diagram demonstrates the blanket-like quality of clouds
when trapping heat. Moab's lack of cloud coverage during
the summer and winter leads to clear sky radiation.
Photo courtesy of: http://climatekids.nasa.gov/review/
greenhouse-effect/cloud_greenhouse_effect-1.jpg

Moab’s elevation permits decreased cloud coverage during the summer and winter months. Clouds are in part responsible for absorbing insolation; thus, they act like a blanket in Earth’s atmosphere. Less cloud coverage means that less heat is being trapped by clouds. As a result, clear sky radiation occurs, as well as decreased night temperatures in the winter. 

     Another characteristic of Moab’s climate is its daily temperature differences. According to the Discover Moab site, the highest temperatures occur from 1p.m. to 4p.m. in the summer. However, noon is the typical time that maximum solar radiation occurs. This variability in diurnal temperatures occurs due to Earth’s nature of absorbing and reflecting radiation. This occurs over the course of several hours. 

     In addition to little cloud cover through the seasons and daily variations in its temperature, fast-approaching storms are characteristic to Moab’s climate. Forms of precipitation typical to the Moab region include rain that varies in intensity, light amounts of snow, and thunderstorms. During Moab’s warm season, which lasts from June through September, thunderstorms account for 62% of the precipitation, as seen in the below bar graph.

This bar graph shows precipitation values for
Moab's warm season. The prevalence
of thunderstorms in the region presents many
dangers to hikers and tourists alike.
Photo courtesy of: https://weatherspark.com/
averages/29941/Moab-Utah-United-States

Moisture and unstable air must be present to form thunderstorms. These storms mature through various stages and can cause intense rainfall, hail, lightning, and thunder. As a result, thunderstorms often present dangers to hikers in the Moab region.

     The climate of Moab is indubitably unique and causes weather that is “as varied as its landscape,” according to the Discover Moab website. 

References: 

"Earth's Atmosphere, Radiation Balance and 'Global Warming'" Lecture Notes

"Temperature of the Earth" Lecture Notes

"Weather" Lecture Notes

http://www.discovermoab.com/faq.htm

http://www.discovermoab.com/climate.htm

http://www.utah.com/nationalparks/arches/arches-winter.htm

Ron Niebrugge/WildNatureImages.com and www.my-photo-blog.com

http://climatekids.nasa.gov/review/greenhouse-effect/cloud_greenhouse_effect-1.jpg

https://weatherspark.com/averages/29941/Moab-Utah-United-States

Video courtesy of: www.youtube.com