Storms could pop up in southern arizona this weekend and push dust up into the phoenix area, caused by. Arizonas monsoon is the northern extent of the north american monsoon, which begins in early. Have now setlled on three nights in tucson and one night in ajo as i am keen to visit organ pipe. Tucson and all of what is now arizona were included within the us new mexico territory until 1863, when they became part of the new arizona territory. Monsoon season in arizona used to be determined by dew points, but in 2008, the national weather service declared it runs from june 15 to. On some occasions, a severe storm may spawn a microburst, but more often high winds, dust, and severe. During this period prevailing winds switch from the west to the southeast. The official monsoon season in tucson az is from june 15 to september 30. See long range weather forecasts for the next 60 days for the desert southwest region. Arizonas monsoon season begins in june and continues through september. In some areas, you may notice dust storms forming accompanied by frequent thunder, lightning and rain. We all know that once temperatures start rising, monsoon season isnt far away. The monsoon is a season, during which the dry westerly winds that persist through fall, winter and spring shift to moist southerly winds, bringing thunderstorm activity into arizona.
The monsoon season will be well over by then most likely and the weather will be very nice, although it could still be in the low 100s. The arizona monsoon officially began after the third consecutive day of dew points above 55 degrees and ended when it dropped again. Although the four seasons have start dates that appear on a calendar, people are usually not concerned if the weather on that day is consistent with the. The fire weather season in northern arizona peaks near the end of june. Monsoon storms are definitely on their way to southern arizona, though. It looks like this year the summer monsoon got its start a little earlier than usual. Monsoon downtown tucson, arizona dont drive into the underpass. The weather is much more likely to be nicer in tucson than in phoenix phoenix will be hotter and more humid even during the monsoon season, it does not rain all day. The beginning of the monsoon season continues the threat of fires as fire starts from dry lightning are common.
Arizonas summer monsoon doesnt officially begin until this friday, june 15, but the humidity started creeping up last week. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. Daily star photographers captured the 2017 monsoon season around tucson and southern arizona. See more ideas about arizona, monsoon and mother nature. Learn the basic definition of dew point and understand how it is used by meteorologists in association with arizona monsoon thunderstorms. From 1867 to 1877, tucson was the capital of the arizona territory. The monsoon is a season, during which the dry westerly winds that persist through fall, winter and spring shift to moist. This video by mike foster, explains the monsoons, the continue reading. The monsoon season suppresses much of the hot summer temperatures, replenishes water resources, and nourishes the vegetation. There are over 300 active observers in the tucson area alone which can capture the very fine scale patterns of thunderstorms during the monsoon season.
Adot urges drivers to be prepared for summer storms. Monsoon season in effect tucson, arizona the weather channel. Monsoon season in arizona used to be determined by dew points, but in 2008, the national weather service declared it runs from june 15 to september 30. Youll be happy to hear these predictions for arizonas 2019 monsoon season. The nearest precipitation gauge at houghton and the pantano wash showed only.
Much of arizona has slight chance for above average rainfall between july and september, according to the climate prediction centers mid may outlook. These wind shifts are the mechanism for the monsoon in southern arizona. Stormy weather already has arrived in southeastern arizona and the sierra madre occidental range in northern mexico. Keep in mind southern arizona needed over 12 of monsoon rain to eliminate the drought, which was unlikely to occur. High heat could bring storms in tucson, dust in the phoenix area. Arizonas monsoon is the northern extent of the north american monsoon, which begins in early june in central and southern mexico. Phoenix 3tvcbs5 with a monsoon special, arizonas weather authority made sure all arizonans know what to expect before a potentially busy season. Arizona and new mexico receive up to half of their annual rainfall during the summer monsoon figure 1. The national weather service officially defines monsoon season as the period between june 15 and september 30. Roughly 50 percent of the time, though, southern arizonas first thunderstorms roll. Monsoon season the official monsoon season in tucson az is from june 15 to september 30. The old farmers almanac s scientificallybased, long range forecasts can be used to make more informed decisions about future plans that depend on the weather, from vacations.
Another aspect of monsoon season is the influence on the local fire weather season. Right now, were typically still baking under 115 degree temperatures, waiting for some relief from the heat whenever we happen to find ourselves away from the air conditioner. In addition, tucson ended monsoon with a yearly rainfall deficit of 0. South arizona in monsoon season tucson forum tripadvisor. Strong storms bringing wind and rain pass through tucson, arizona. This site hosts an online, volunteer rainfall monitoring network active across arizona and a couple of other western u. Monsoon season occurs every year in tucson and southern.
Sometimes during monsoon season, a more severe dust storm forms. The maps below are focused on capturing unique elements of the summer monsoon season across arizona including total precipitation, intensity, and frequency of precipitation events. Hi, have now setlled on three nights in tucson and one night in ajo as i am keen to visit organ pipe nm this august am i correct that the monsoon season is characterised mostly by afternoon thunderstorms which blaze for a relatively short time and then clear up later the. They usually start with heavy winds accompanied by heavy rain. Park west in lower left corner white l shape from alaska air flight during monsoon season in 2001 westward look resort in tucson, az westward look resort in.
It is a perfect place to hear the calls of many species of frogs and toads. In the phoenix area, the moisture is usually here by the first or second week in july. Safety tips for arizonas monsoon season my tucson movers. August, 2014 painting in monsoon season, phoenix and tucson every summer the residents of arizona get excited, not because of the 110 degree temperatures or the increased scorpion sightings, but because july and august mean monsoon season. Although these months see a bit more rain than the spring, youll find most days are. During the monsoon or summer thunderstorm season, arizona experiences more severe weather than many other states. These shoulder seasons offer pleasant weather and reasonable room.
Monsoon will likely roll into tucson later than usual this. The end of the hot and humid weather normally comes in the latter half of september state wide. Judy hedding is a phoenix resident and has written more than 1,000 articles about greater phoenix and arizona since 2000. This episode of monsoon 2015 contains timelapse video of. Monsoon will likely roll into tucson later than usual this summer stephanie casanova jun 2, 2019. If you plan to visit in may, try to avoid university of arizonas commencement.
The monsoon had been little more than a whimper of late but did it ever wake up. When will phoenix be hot enough for the rain to start. Arizona monsoon thunderstorms can range from minor to extreme storms. Photos of the 2018 monsoon season and other rain in the tucson area by staff photographers of the arizona daily star and by the stars readers. The tucson monsoon is a football team in the independent womens football league based in tucson, arizona. Late start to 2019 monsoon season predicted for arizona. Monsoons adot arizona department of transportation. Directly under a forming microburst in tucson az duration. Arizona summer monsoon season precipitation mapping the maps below are focused on capturing unique elements of the summer monsoon season across arizona including total precipitation, intensity, and frequency of precipitation events. Arizona summer monsoon season precipitation mapping.
Enough moisture finally made it into tucson to spark thunderstorms and a lot of lightning. For a most of the year, low level winds of tucsons sonora desert regions tend to blow from the land toward the sea. Arizonas summer monsoon still no match for indias uanews. With it comes higher humidity, which can lead to thunderstorms, heavy rain, lightning, hail, high winds, flash flooding, dust storms and extreme heat. While summer is a time of fun in the sun and letting go, it can also elicit fear in the hearts of arizonans. Since 2008, the national weather service has decreed a monsoon season from june 15 to september 30, but it still keeps track of the monsoon start by a measure it used from 1949 until 2008 the. Northern arizona monsoon season national weather service. The monsoon is a season, during which the dry westerly winds that persist through fall. Arizona made up for one of those deaths during 2016s monsoon season. Maps are updated once a day from june 15 september 30th using gridded precipitation data nominally 4km by 4km.
Normally, i would take the cpcs monsoon outlook with a grain of salt. In 2008 the national weather service decided to declare a monsoon season from june 15 to sept. For years, arizonas summer stormy season wasnt regarded as a fullfledged monsoon. Its getting hotter in the phoenix area, but is it monsoon hot yet. Some parts of arizona had their driest monsoon seasons on record. A monsoon storm, the first significant one of the season, crashes a few bolts down just before the gates opened for the annual bloom night at tohono chul. The best times to visit tucson are from april to may and from september to october. Sea being either the gulf of california or gulf of mexico. The whitewater draw comes alive in the monsoon season in southern arizona northeast of bisbee. Lightning strikes on tucsons westside during an evening monsoon. During the heart of monsoon, southern arizona has a 67% chance for near or above average rainfall.