It's Officially Monsoon Season

Above, monsoon storm over the mesas last July. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As of yesterday, Monsoon Season officially started in the Southwest region of the United States. This includes the Gallup-Jamestown area of New Mexico.

It begins on June 15 and runs to September 30.

Actually, I am looking forward to the electrical storms that accompany monsoon storms.

According to WeatherNation:

Monsoon season has officially kicked off in the southwest US. Although the word “monsoon” may have you thinking rain, the term actually refers to a large scale change in the overall weather pattern allowing an influx of moisture. This can cause a wide array of weather impacts. 

Here’s how the pattern sets up. The hot, summer, desert sun sky rockets temperatures in the desert. Warm air has a natural tendency to rise (because it is less dense than the air around it), creating a center of low pressure at the surface. Because nearby large bodies of water do not warm as quickly, their pressure remains higher relative to the thermal low. Eventually, the cooler and more humid air from over water moves toward the hot, dry land. 

To read more, go here.

The forecast for tonight and tomorrow from the National Weather Service:

Tonight

Isolated thunderstorms before 9pm, then isolated showers and thunderstorms between 9pm and midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Monday

Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Monday Night

Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 9pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 30%.