These are the days of summer that the monsoon-obsessed begin watching for cotton-ball clouds forming above the Catalinas, Rincons, and Santa Ritas.
This is when weather patterns shift and dry air from the west is replaced by powerful, tropical winds that flow north from Mexico. With significant moisture flowing in, those clouds rapidly grow through the afternoon into towering, dark battleships. Soon, if conditions are right, those giants break free from their mountain anchors and begin to move across the parched desert.
It's at this point that excited storm chasers race to their computers to track each thunderhead, assessing the direction, speed, and total moisture load in each cell. With this insight, plans are hatched and routes selected to hopefully intercept the strongest cells. Cameras loaded, maps in hand.
And this might be a very good monsoon season. Recent forecasts suggest we have a very good chance of more, stronger storms this year. Maybe close to 2021's record-setting monsoon season!
What do you do when a massive, gray cloud formation begins to move your way? Thunder rumbling. The magic scent of rain in the desert fills your lungs. Time to secure your patio umbrellas. Grab a beverage. And wait for the show to begin.
