Wet Monsoon Summary

Bean_Rainy_Gardenmonsoon  |  Arabic: season, reversal
 

The North American Monsoon is caused by an area of high pressure that moves northward during the summer months and an area of low pressure (forming due to intense surface heating) over the Mexican Plateau and the American Southwest. This configuration draws moisture from the Gulf of California and eastern Pacific inland, leading to heavy rainfall. The monsoon begins in late May to early June in southern Mexico and quickly spreads along the western slopes of the Sierra Madre Occidental, reaching Arizona and New Mexico in early July.

For the Flagstaff area, the monsoon generally begins around July 3, though onset varies greatly due to topography. For areas to the east (e.g. Doney Park), onset dates remain fairly consistent, while the onset dates for areas to the west (e.g. Fort Valley) are variable. For example, Fort Valley may begin to experience the monsoonal rains as early as June 20 or as late as July 10. In contrast, Doney Park generally begins to experience the monsoonal rains within the first week of July.

Average Date of Monsoon Onset (+/- 1-2 days)

  • June 30      Fort Valley
  • July 1          Sunset Crater
  • July 2          KFLG (Flagstaff Pulliam Airport)
  • July 3          Walnut Canyon
  • July 3          Switzer Canyon
  • July 3          Mountainaire
  • July 4          Doney Park
  • July 5          Snowslide Canyon
  • July 5          Parks
  • ~July 3        Average Onset Date

 In comparison, the departure dates of the monsoon are far less consistent, and can be calculated using various thresholds. As such, the following dates should be used as guidelines only and are given to seasonal variability.

Average Date of Monsoon Departure
Assumption: Chance of daily rainfall greater than 20% for two (or more) days.
  • September 12      Doney Park
  • September 15      Parks
  • September 17      Walnut Canyon
  • September 18      Switzer Canyon
  • September 19      Flagstaff-Pulliam Airport
  • September 20      Fort Valley
  • September 21      Sunset Crater
  • September 18      Average Departure Date

Assumption: Less than 30% chance of below-freezing temperatures for two (or more) days.

  • September 14      Fort Valley
  • September 17      Sunset Crater
  • September 26      Doney Park
  • September 27      Walnut Canyon
  • September 29      Flagstaff-Pulliam Airport
  • September 30      Parks
  • September 30      Switzer Canyon
  • September 24:    Average Departure Date

 Assumption: Chance of rain greater than 20%; chance of freezing temperature less than 30% for two (or more) days.

  • September 20     Fort Valley
  • September 21     Sunset Crater
  • September 26     Doney Park
  • September 27     Walnut Canyon
  • September 29     Flagstaff Pulliam Airport
  • September 30     Switzer Canyon
  • September 30     Parks
  • September 25     Average Departure Date

Click for more on the Arizona Monsoon.

— statistics compiled by Dan Stewart.