Colorado Plateau vs. Sonoran Desert: Climate Contrasts

Colorado Plateau (Continental Semi-Arid)

• Summers hot (60–80°F), winters cold (20–40°F).
• Precip: 8–16 in/yr, winter/spring max.
• Snow: ~20 in/yr.
• Humidity: ~30%.

Sonoran Desert (Subtropical Desert)

• Summers very hot (90–110°F), winters mild (40–60°F).
• Precip: 3–10 in/yr, summer max (monsoon).
• Snow: Rare.
• Humidity: ~10%.

Key Differences

Plateau has colder winters, more precipitation, higher humidity, and regular snow. Sonoran is hotter, drier, with summer monsoons. Different biomes, different adaptations.