Weather
in the Southwest region is sunny and warm. It is very hot in the summer.
New Mexico
has 70% sunshine year-round. Winter temperatures vary. South Texas and
southern Arizona stays warm in the winter. In other areas of this region,
including the Rocky Mountains, it gets very cold in the winter. The sunny
weather and mild winters allow people to enjoy outdoor recreational
activities year round.
Much
of the Southwest region does not get enough rain. The deserts in Arizona,
New Mexico and Texas get very little rain. Irrigation is used to farm the
land. The Rocky Mountains get a lot of snow in the winter. In spring, the
snow melts and flows into the Colorado River, the Rio Grande, and other
important rivers in this region.
Plants
in the Southwest region vary depending on physical features. The plains
are covered with grass. The mountains have forests of pine trees. The deserts
are covered with plants
that need little water. Cactus
is a plant that can survive a long time without water. Cactus come in all
different sizes and shapes. They are covered with sharp thorns. Beautiful
wildflowers
also grow in the desert.
