It's derived from the Arabic word mausim, which means season or wind-shift. That shift refers to the seasonal change in overall wind direction. In Arizona winds shift from the northwesterly cool, dry winds of winter to the southerly winds of summer that draw in moisture off the Pacific, Gulf of California, and Gulf of Mexico. This moisture is needed for monsoon downpours.
As a general rule a monsoon dew point of 54 degrees or higher in Tucson means the deep tropical moisture has moved into the area and there is a good chance of heavy rain if the atmosphere is favorable for storm development.Even though we're not getting wet, the air has cooled off which is a good thing. This was last night. Right after the wind came up, a bunch of doves landed on the flower spike facing in to the wind.
That's it, that's all I've got; wind and rain.
Wind and rain and some great pictures.
ReplyDeletewind and rain and doves. beautiful.
ReplyDeleteIt's better than heat, though, right?!
ReplyDeleteI've been in Arizona during 'monsoon' season and if it's the wind thing, OK but I never saw heavy rain. kind of like in the PNW if it's drizzling or misting outside they say it's raining. that is not rain. not compared to what we call rain!
ReplyDeleteYep, it rains like hell. We get flash floods, the washes run and people drive their cars through low spots and get stuck. PNW also gets storms off the coast that knock over big trees, throw debris out of the bay on to the roads, and flood the low lying areas. There is a lot of relentless drizzle and gray, but there are some pretty bang up storms.
DeleteThe doves on the flower spike are a lovely sight.
ReplyDeleteI love the doves! Beautiful shot.
ReplyDeleteWhen I lived in AZ, staff would stop by my office and complain about the monsoon and humidity. I always laughed out loud - they had no idea of what humidity and rain is!
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