How Arizona's Monsoon Season Works And Why It Matters

This year we have gotten a lot of rain here in Arizona. Every summer, we brace for the seasonal storms that sweep in and drench our neighborhoods. What causes it to downpour every summer, and how much rain have we actually gotten this year?

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green grass field under white clouds during daytime — Photo by R Gray on Unsplash

The Summer Storms

According to Arizona State University, monsoon season is officially June 15th through September 30th. It is defined by 3 or more consecutive days where the dew point average is 55 degrees or higher.

In Arizona, the summers get hot. One of the major criteria for a monsoon to happen is high temperatures. Warm weather causes shifts in wind, changes to atmospheric pressure, and of course, lots of evaporation.

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Wind and Pressure Shifts

Land heats up faster than bodies of water do at the beginning of summer. The National Weather Service explains that when warm air rises off of the land, it reverses the direction of the wind. Instead of blowing from east to west, winds begin pulling moisture inland from the Gulf of California, the Gulf of Mexico, and even the eastern Pacific Ocean.

As the hot air over Arizona rises, it creates an area of lower atmospheric pressure near the surface. Air naturally moves from areas of higher pressure to lower pressure, so moisture-rich air is drawn toward the Southwest. Once that humid air arrives and continues to rise through the hot atmosphere, it cools and condenses into clouds. The result is the dramatic thunderstorms that have become a signature of Arizona summers for centuries.

Amount of Rain

2026 has been considered a good year for rain. In the last two months Cochise County has experienced frequent storms that have brought much-needed moisture to the region, helping improve drought conditions and providing rainfall well above what many residents experienced during some our past summers.

While monsoon activity varies from year to year, 2026 has featured regular thunderstorms, and has received an estimated 7.5 inches of rain since the start of monsoon season.

Summer in Arizona is a prime example of how heat, wind, and summer pressure shifts combine to create the powerful storms we know and love. While every year is different, the seasonal thunderstorms provide much-needed rain and relief from the summer heat. So, what do you think, have we gotten enough rain this year?

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