Quote:
Originally Posted by desertgrandma
You on the East side always get more rain. It didn't do anything here until after dark. Sounded like the roof would collapse with the rain for about 10 seconds.
Went outside just a few minutes later, and the ground was dry, dry as a bone.
Thats how hot and dry we are.
Did see some lightning. Love those light shows.
Think we'll have a real Monsoon this year? (Note to non-Arizona people, its not monsoon seasons, its Monsoon)
from "About Arizona"
Definition:
"MONSOON
A season of high temperatures, high winds, and high moisture, resulting in potentially deadly weather. The term "monsoon" comes from the Arabic "mausim" meaning "season" or "wind shift". It is this change in wind direction that causes stormy conditions, including wind, dust, and rain.
Prior to 2008 the Arizona monsoon was defined as beginning after the third consecutive day of dew points above 55°F. On average this occurred around July 7 with the monsoon continuing for the next two months. Starting in 2008 the National Weather Service has defined the Arizona monsoon as beginning on June 15 and ending on September 30.
During monsoon we get about 2-1/2" of rain, about 1/3 of our yearly rainfall. However the monsoon varies from year to year in intensity."
I don't think our side of the valley has had a real monsoon since I've been here, 6 years now. We've had the winds, and heat, but very little rain. I'm told by my daughter, who's lived here 20 years, they used to get way more rain.
We live on the extreme northwest side of the valley. The East side of the valley gets more rain.
F1......?
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What happens in Texas is that an upper level high generate around Jun 15 +/- 2 weeks, and sits over Texas for 3 months (+/- 2weeks). It can break down for a little while during the summer, resulting in a little rain, but not much. Dewpoints are consistently above 70F and usually 75F. Every 5 years or so, a tropical system hits the Texas coast and dump 10-30 inches of rain, usually in August or September. High in this period vary with cloud cover, from upper 90's (with occasional puffy cumulus clouds) in central Texas to Mid 100's (with a blistering clear sky) here in Dallas...