Arizona's FamilyFLAGSTAFF, AZ (AZFamily) — Sunday marks the start of Monsoon Awareness Week, as we are just weeks away from the onset of the monsoon season.
The National Weather Service is projecting above-average precipitation this year, which is desperately needed after a dry winter. However, under the right conditions, these summer storms can also be life-threatening.
Like clockwork, the monsoon storms hit Arizona every year around late June or early July. National Weather Service forecaster Megan Taylor said increased summer temperatures and winds create these storms.
“It creates a southerly wind that starts to draw moisture into Arizona,” Taylor said. “So it is a seasonal wind shift that brings moisture to Arizona.”
Northern Arizona had a dry winter, but Taylor said the summer thunderstorm s