These are the Signs of Spring in Southeastern Arizona

In states where you get a lot of snow, the first signs of Spring may be pretty obvious: the snow melts, the flowers and trees bloom, and the weather gets progressively warmer. Then, a new snowstorm blows in, and the blooms freeze. And so on. Until May.

Spring here is much more subtle, but in Arizona, it’s an adventure all its own. Unlike the dramatic snow melts and blooms up north, spotting the changing season in Southern Arizona takes a bit more observation. Let’s take a look at five unmistakable signs that spring has arrived in the Grand Canyon State.

Here's another sign of spring in Arizona: Baseball Spring Training in Phoenix, Arizona

Wildflowers Paint the Desert

The wildflowers blooming in Arizona are a big deal. So much of Arizona is beige, brown, or just blah. Desert wildflowers bring a refreshing burst of orange, red, purple, and other beautiful colors. It's a sweet treat for the eyes.

According to the Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum, the best times to experience wildflower season in Arizona are "mid February to mid June, with a peak from mid March to late April, depending on rainfall and temperatures during the growing season."

Trust the Mesquite Trees

I've lived in the desert southwest for decades, and I used to think the best way to tell spring was here was the sudden blooming of wildflowers.

I've spoken to several friends who love gardening, and they've told me that a better indicator is the mesquite trees. Somehow, they know when the last frost will hit, and shortly afterward, they begin to leaf out.

Get our free mobile app

Allergy Season Strikes Again

When I lived in the Midwest, my allergies were terrible. Living in Arizona, my allergies aren't quite as bad, but it seems like my body has just found new things to be allergic to.

Palo Verde Trees and their beautiful, dainty yellow flowers seem to make my body go into a full histamine rebellion, but Desert Broom and other pollen producers get me going, too. And we won't even begin to talk about the dust when the winds kick up!

Here Come the Bees

Just like birds, bees migrate to warmer places as the weather changes. We're used to seeing birds (and snowbirds) as they come and go, but the first time you see a clump of bees, you might be tempted to call a professional exterminator.

The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension offers advice on identifying a migrating swarm. They say it’s best to leave a migrating swarm of bees alone if they're away from human foot traffic.

READ: An Open Letter to Arizona Snowbirds

"If a cluster of bees suddenly appears on a wall, on a branch of a tree, or on the ground and remains exposed, this is most likely a resting swarm."

Swarming bees will not have yellow or orange pollen evident in pollen baskets on their hind legs, and swarms will not be seen moving in and out of cavities. Swarms will often move on in a few days without intervention, and although not defensive, they can sting if disturbed. It is best to observe the swarm from a distance and hope they do not find suitable nesting sites close to or in your home or building."

"It is best to leave swarms alone if they are in a spot that does not have much human traffic passing close by," the Cooperative Extension advises.

Spring in Arizona isn't showy, but it's a treat for the senses. Look carefully, and you'll see the subtle season change!