When the summer arrives, it brings monsoons in Arizona.
If you’ve never experienced a monsoon, these storms are amplified thunderstorms when a region gets much of its rain for the entire year.
Here’s what you should know about weathering these storms and how to protect your property.
1. What is a monsoon in Arizona?
Monsoon refers to a seasonal time of year when thunderstorms are more likely to occur.
That said, a monsoon itself isn’t a thunderstorm, but the season can help build thunderstorms that are short-lived and intense.
Monsoon thunderstorms often cause flash flooding in areas of steep terrain, low-lying roads, and normally dry washes.
Typical features of monsoons include:
- Lightning
- Hail
- Dust storms
- Strong winds
In central and northern Arizona, monsoon thunderstorms account for roughly half of the annual precipitation.
In southern Arizona, these thunderstorms are as much as two-thirds to three-fourths of the annual precipitation.
2. What causes a monsoon in Arizona?
Monsoons are a well-defined meteorological event that occurs during the summer months.
It is primarily caused by the intense heating of the desert which creates rising air and surface low pressure (called a thermal low) in the Mohave.
This low pressure pulls in moist air from the Pacific and Gulf of California.
At the same time, Arizona’s subtropical ridge of upper atmosphere high pressure, which normally prevents the northward movement of air, shifts to the southern Rockies at the end of June.
This allows the moisture-rich air from the southern and western coasts to flow northward.
3. When are monsoons in Arizona?
Arizona’s monsoon season is from June through September.
This season brings higher humidity that can lead to thunderstorms, heavy rain, lightning, hail, high winds, flash flooding, dust storms, and extreme heat.
4. How should you use the word monsoon?
The term “monsoons” should be used in the same manner as “summer.”
If you want to refer to the meteorological event, then you should use the proper “monsoon thunderstorms” rather than “monsoons.”
5. Are monsoons the same as hurricanes or cyclones?
No, although monsoons are often referred to as hurricanes or cyclones, this is incorrect.
Both hurricanes and cyclones are storms that typically form over oceans.
Unlike these large rainstorms, monsoons refer to a seasonal wind shift over a region that can bring on a heavy rain or dry spell.
As noted above, it isn’t a storm.
Rather, it’s a pattern of rains and winds that can span large geographical areas.
Having said this, monsoons can lead to dangerous flooding.
6. What should you do before a monsoon in Arizona?
Here are some safety precautions that you can take during monsoon season in Arizona.
Monsoons can develop quickly and move rapidly, which won’t leave you a lot of time to prepare if you aren’t already aware of the weather.
Always loosely double-stake small and newly planted trees.
If they are, you’ll want to make sure you aren’t running any automatic sprinkler systems.
Oversaturated soil can exacerbate the risk of runoff and flooding.
7. What should you do during a monsoon in Arizona?
During a monsoon thunderstorm, there are several risks to your physical well-being that come from lightning and wind.
Lighting will often strike outside of the area of heavy rain.
It can occur as far as 10 miles away from rainfall, and it doesn’t need to be raining where you are for you to be struck by lightning.
If you hear thunder, then know you’re close enough to a storm to be struck by lightning.
Here are some ways you can stay safe when thunder and lightning accompany a monsoon thunderstorm.
- If you’re caught outdoors, find a low spot away from trees, fences, pools, etc.
- Avoid high ground, water, trees, and metal objects
In Arizona, thunderstorm wind gusts typically exceed 40 mph.
The strongest straight-line gusts exceed 100 mph.
This strength of the wind can generate damage similar to a tornado.
8. How do monsoons impact dust storms?
Dust storms typically appear well ahead of thunderstorms in Arizona.
You should monitor the weather forecast to see if a dust storm is predicted.
Keep in mind that a dust storm can also move rapidly and reduce visibility almost instantly.
You want to avoid going out in a dust storm if at all possible.
If you do find yourself caught in one and you’re driving, pull off the road immediately.
Put the vehicle in park and take your foot off the brake.
You should also turn off your headlights and taillights as other motorists may try to follow your taillights in an attempt to get through the dust storm, which could cause them to strike your vehicle.
You should stay where you are and remain in your vehicle until the storm passes.
Do not go out into the storm if you can avoid it.
9. What should you do after a monsoon in Arizona?
Monsoon storms don’t last long, but they often leave a lot of damage in their wake.
Here’s what you should do after the storm has passed, and you’re left picking up the pieces.
Typically, an air filter should be changed about every 90 days, but during monsoon season, every 2 to 3 weeks is recommended.
The same goes for any fallen trees, large debris, or downed power lines.
Do not attempt to move or touch any downed power lines — stay at least 100 feet away and call authorities for your own safety.
This means you can easily be swept away.
Half of all flood fatalities are vehicle-related.
Consider using sandbags to divert water away from your doorways and help protect your home from flooding during a monsoon storm.
Check with fire stations throughout the Phoenix valley for free sandbags.
10. What are some monsoon season statistics you should know?
Here are some facts and stats you should know about the monsoon season.
11. Do monsoons in Arizona cause flash floods?
Yes, it’s very common for monsoon rains to cause a flash flooding threat.
For this reason, it’s important to know about flash flood safety as well.
Here are tips you should use if flash flooding impacts your area.
It’s easy to lose control of a vehicle in as little as 6 inches of water.
In 2 feet of water, most vehicles will begin to float.
Most drivers will have a difficult time discerning the depth or force of flowing water.
This issue is especially pronounced at night.
Initially, you may think water is a shallow stream, but that may not be the case at all.
If you see standing water at all, do not drive through it.
This is the best way to prevent being trapped or swept away.
Don’t drive through a monsoon’s path if there’s an alternative path.
Taking extra time can keep you safe, which makes it worth it.
You can also wait it out.
Arizona’s monsoons are typically fast-moving and temporary.
Arizona created a law for this called the “Stupid Motorist Law” in 1995.
This law bans drivers from driving around barricades that are intended to prevent them from driving through a flooded area.
If you become trapped after circumventing a barricade, then you may be responsible for paying the cost of rescue from police and fire emergency personnel.
Flash flooding can occur from several miles away.
The runoff from these thunderstorms will flow into the valley and deserts, which means you can still be impacted even if the storm appears far away.
These storms bring the danger of both flash flooding and lightning.
If you hike during the monsoon, you should get out earlier in the day, be aware of your escape routes, follow ranger instructions, and be prepared to move to higher ground quickly.
Final Thoughts
A monsoon in Arizona is like any other natural disaster.
You can’t avoid it, but you can prepare for it.
These storms begin in June and continue through September.
They can bring much-needed rain to the desert, but they’re worth preparing for so your home doesn’t get damaged.
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Disclaimer: we are not lawyers, accountants or financial advisors and the information in this article is for informational purposes only. This article is based on our own research and experience and we do our best to keep it accurate and up-to-date, but it may contain errors. Please be sure to consult a legal or financial professional before making any investment decisions.