black clothing, hot desert

We don't get the kind of heat up here in Albuquerque that they get down in the Phoenix, AZ area -- the so-called "Valley of the Sun," where I lived for almost 25 years. But our forecast for today here is calling for near-record heat -- pushing 90 degrees (in April!).

For folks living in the Desert Southwest, it seems almost like common sense to wear light-colored clothing out in the sun. But then we see photos like these, of Bedouin or Taureg people wearing black.

Are they crazy? Or do these desert-dwellers know something that we don't know?

Food for thought:

"Why in The Desert Wear Black"

"Science Wednesday: All the Cool Nomads are Wearing Black"

"The Physics that Explain Why You Should Wear Black This Summer"

Or, this letter at nature.com. Folks in Albuquerque, a kinda windy place, but with quite warm, dry summer days, might want to take note of the reference to wind speeds; a little breeze, and loose clothing (dark or light), appear to be key factors.

Might have to rethink my summer wardrobe.