Do you like rain? Do you like thunder and lightning? Do you like seeing rainbows and sunsets? If you do, then you might enjoy the monsoon season in Arizona.

A monsoon is a big change in the weather that happens every year. It brings a lot of rain and storms to places that are usually very dry and hot. A monsoon is not a storm itself, but it can make storms happen more often.

The word monsoon comes from an Arabic word that means season. That’s because a monsoon happens at a certain time of the year, usually in the summer. In Arizona, the monsoon season starts on June 15 and ends on September 30.

But why does a monsoon happen in Arizona? It has to do with the wind and the moisture in the air. The wind is like a big fan that can blow air from different directions. The moisture is like water vapor that can make clouds and rain.

In the winter, spring and fall, the wind usually blows from the west. It brings dry air from the Pacific Ocean and the desert. This makes Arizona very hot and sunny most of the time.

But in the summer, the wind changes direction. It starts to blow from the south or southeast. It brings moist air from the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean. This makes Arizona more humid and cloudy.

The moist air also mixes with the heat from the sun. The heat makes the air rise up high in the sky. The rising air forms big clouds that can make thunderstorms . These storms can bring heavy rain, lightning, hail, high winds, flash floods and dust storms.

The monsoon affects different parts of Arizona differently. The southern part of Arizona gets more rain than the northern part. Some places can get more than half of their yearly rain during the monsoon season.

The monsoon can be fun to watch, but it can also be dangerous. You have to be careful and stay safe during the storms. Here are some tips to remember:

• Drink plenty of water and stay cool. The monsoon can make it very hot and humid.
• Stay indoors when you hear thunder or see lightning. Lightning can strike anywhere and hurt you.
• Avoid flooded roads or washes. The water can be deeper and faster than it looks. It can sweep away your car or you.
• Stay away from dust storms. They can make it hard to see and breathe. They can also damage your car or your eyes.
• Listen to weather reports and warnings. They can tell you when and where a storm is coming.

The monsoon can also be beautiful and amazing. It can make rainbows and sunsets that are very colorful. It can also make the desert plants grow and bloom.

The monsoon is an important part of Arizona’s climate and culture. It brings life and excitement to the desert. It is something that many Arizonans look forward to every year.

https://azdot.gov/about/transportation-safety/severe-weather/monsoons: Monsoons | ADOT – Arizona Department of Transportation https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-weather/2022/05/20/arizona-monsoon-season-definition-when-expect-summer-storms/9823924002/: When does monsoon season start in Arizona? Everything to know https://azclimate.asu.edu/monsoon/: Monsoon | Arizona State Climate Office – Arizona State University