First Summer Storms Bring Dust, Lightning and Fire Danger to the Southwest

A bit of relief from the relentless heat is coming to the Desert Southwest as the North American monsoon season begins. Here is a look at this annual weather pattern and what the southwestern U.S can expect as it ramps up this week.

North American Monsoon Season Shows First Signs of Life This Week

Much-needed moisture is on the way to the Southwest thanks to the upcoming North American monsoon season. The arrival of this annual surge of precipitation from the Pacific will break the stretch of triple-digit temperatures for many parts of the interior West while also ushering in a surge of moisture. The beginning of the North American monsoon season is typically marked by isolated thunderstorms in the early stages that become more widespread by the end of the summer.

The storms will ignite as winds shift to the south early this week, bringing up moisture from Mexico and the Pacific and depositing it over the interior portions of the West. Forecasters warn that precipitation associated with monsoonal storms is not evenly distributed. This means that some areas may enjoy a soaking while nearby communities may end up high and dry.

The Southwest and the interior West will experience varying degrees of moisture over the next few weeks. For example, the coastline of California is not expected to pick up any measurable moisture in the next week or so, while thunderstorms are likely to creep into the desert regions of Nevada and California. Some portions of the Sierra Nevada will also be the beneficiaries of monsoonal moisture beginning in the middle of July.

Unfortunately, the monsoonal storms come with gusty conditions and the threat of blowing dust. Monsoonal weather patterns are also distinguished by their dry thunderstorms packed with frequent lightning strikes. This is a concern as lightning is one of the most common culprits of wildfires.

Cities that can expect to see a few inches of rain in the coming days and weeks include Phoenix, Tucson, Albuquerque, Las Vegas, El Paso, Salt Lake City, Palm Springs, and Grand Junction.

This is a good time to remind motorists and outdoor recreational enthusiasts to be mindful of the threat of rapidly changing weather.

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