According to Maricopa County meteorologists, the county experienced below-average rainfall for the 2024 monsoon season, continuing the dry trend of recent years. Rainfall across the county averaged just 1.43 inches, making this year the third driest monsoon season on record, with only 2023 and 2020 seeing drier conditions. Meanwhile, Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport recorded a mere 0.74 inches of rain, tying it as the seventh driest monsoon on record for the location.
While this year showed a slight improvement over the extremely low totals of 2023, the broader pattern remains unchanged: Maricopa County endured another hot and notably dry summer.
When is Monsoon Season in Arizona?
Monsoon season arrives in Arizona every summer, bringing much-needed relief from the scorching heat. The National Weather Service officially defines Arizona's monsoon season as between June 15 and September 30. The Phoenix area receives roughly half of its yearly rain during these months. The season's frequent storms help temper the intense summer heat, making the persistent haboob-alert texts almost worth it.
The actual start of monsoon season varies each year according to weather conditions within the state and beyond. Whether you have been here for years or are confronting a haboob for the first time, here's what you should know about monsoon season in Arizona.
What is a Monsoon?
A monsoon is not an individual storm. The word comes from the Arabic "mausim," which means "season." So yes, by saying "monsoon season," we're all being a bit redundant. In Arizona, monsoon season is characterized by a shift in wind patterns that brings moist air from the Gulf of California and the Pacific Ocean, leading to increased humidity and thunderstorms.
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