St. George lies in a desert and averages 8.25 inches of precipitation annually. Precipitation is relatively evenly distributed throughout the year, except for a dry period from late April through June.  Precipitation mostly comes from the Pacific Ocean from late fall through winter and early spring. The storm track usually lifts north of the city by mid-April. The summer monsoon from the Gulf of California can bring localized but often intense thunderstorms from mid-July through mid-September. One such storm dropped the record single day precipitation in the city, with 2.39 inches on August 31, 1909. Snow is rare, averaging 3.2 inches annually. It has been recorded as early as October 29 (in 1971) and as late as April 11 (in 1927). The record single day snowfall is 10.0 in (25.4 cm), set on January 5, 1974.

Now that you know a little more about our climate, come visit us in southern Utah.  For more statistics on year round temperatures, you can visit www.stgeorgechamber.com/Climate.htm.

For additional art gallery information visit:

www.dostgeorge.com/st-george-utah-art-galleries.html

St. George Tabernacle

Brigham Young Winter Home
Mormon Prophet and leader Brigham Young spent the winters in the last four years of his life in St. George. He came to the more temperate winter climate for health reasons. Guided tours are provide of this home daily (seven days a week). An estimated 75,000 people visit this home annually. The home is located in downtown St. George at 67 W. 200 N.). 

Jacob Hamblin Home
Located at the western end of the city of Santa Clara (just west of St. George), is the historic home of early mormon explore Jacob Hamblin. He was sent by Mormon Prophet Brigham Young to explore the Santa Clara River region and to ascertain the potential of the area for a settlement. Hamblin was considered to be a great friend to the Native Americans of the region and was implicitly trusted by them.  Jacob Hamblin originally built his home closer to the Santa Clara River (just south of this location) but his home was washed away in a flash flood and he wisely moved his second home further up the hillside.  The home is filled with historic furniture and other items used during his pioneer era.  Tours of the home and the grounds are available on a daily basis (seven days a week).

Santa Clara River Valley – Petroglyphs
Along the Santa Clara River there is a location where nearly 1,000 Ancient American petroglyphs are found. A trail begins near the main highway (near Ivins, Utah) and ascends a small hill and follows a ridge line where the petroglyphs may be viewed among the rocks.

Location: The wash is just south of the new round-a-bout (faux-rock) at the entrance to Ivins City on the parkway.

The St. George Utah Temple is the only temple completed during Brigham Young’s 30-year tenure as president of the Church. With a total of 18 sealing rooms (not all are in active use), the St. George Utah Temple has more sealing rooms than any other temple in the Church. The swampy ground chosen for the St. George Utah Temple was packed with volcanic rock using a cannon—a relic of the Mexican War—as a pile driver, on display in the visitors’ center. The battlements that surround the St. George Utah Temple once functioned as chimneys for numerous narrow rooms that lodged traveling guests. The St. George Utah Temple was originally patterned after the Kirtland and Nauvoo Temples with two large assembly halls featuring a set of pulpits at each end. The lower hall was partitioned with screens for presentation of the endowment. The original tower of the St. George Utah Temple, which Brigham Young considered “squatty,” fell casualty to a lightning storm about a year after its dedication. A new tower was completed several years later, taller and more majestic than the first. The St. George Utah Temple is the first temple where endowments for the dead were performed. The Founding Fathers of the United States of America appeared twice to Wilford Woodruff in the St. George Utah Temple asking why their temple work had yet not been performed on their behalves. A striking painting depicting this singular event hangs in the temple lobby.  In November 1928, fire broke out, destroying the St. George Utah Temple annex. All records and furnishings were saved. Today’s annex, located on the north side of the temple, was constructed in the 1950s and serves as the entrance to the temple. The St. George Utah Temple was extensively remodeled for over a year from 1937 to 1938. The lower hall was permanently divided into progressive-style muraled endowment rooms. Following a second major renovation project, the St. George Utah Temple nearly doubled its 56,062 square feet.

On your next visit to St. George, make sure to pay a visit to the St. George Utah Temple grounds.  The temple grounds visitor center is open 365 days a year and is free to the public.   And remember to reserve a room at the Holiday Inn – St. George where we are only a 5-minute drive from the temple.

Sand Dunes

It’s that time of year where winter recreation in southern Utah explodes because its such a great time to be enjoying the rustic scenary of  ‘Color Country.’  If you haven’t visited St. George during November, December or January, take some time to come see what its all about.  And remember to bring your a coat and a pair of shorts because you will be needing both.  This is an excellent time to golf, hike, bike, ride an ATV or just enjoy your favorite outdoor recreation activity.  What’s your favorite outdoor passion?  I bet you can find it in St. George, Utah.

Throughout the two-hour program, “Thriller” highlights all the heroes of the season, including Frankenstein’s monster and his bride, skeletons, mummies and werewolves. But among the ghouls, you’ll find other unlikely heroes of Halloween, such as the knife-savvy Lorena Bobbitt and the “Giggle Girl,” who sings and maniacally laughs her way through songs such as “I Saw Mommy Killing Santa Claus.” 

Show times are October 23-24, 26-30, 2009, 7:30 PM & October 31, 2009, 8:00 PM.  Ticket prices run from $17.50 – $21.50 per person. For ticket information contact the Tuacahn Box Office at 435-652-3300 or visit them online at www.tuacahn.com.  Don’t miss ‘Thriller at Tuacahn’ this Halloween.  And while you are in St. George, remember to come stay with us at the Holiday Inn!