Arizona's dry winter might lead to a more active monsoon this year.
Isaac Smith with the National Weather Service in Phoenix said the state may receive 33% to 50% above average rainfall this summer.
“When we see this dry, La Niña winter that typically favors above normal precipitation for the monsoon season following that. It's not a guarantee, but it increases the odds," Smith said.
The monsoon forecast applies to most of the state. But Smith said Yuma is an outlier and could see less precipitation than normal.
Metro Phoenix forecast
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 102 and a low around 75.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 101 and a low around 76.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 105 and a low around 79.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 100 and a low around 79. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the morning. A 30% chance of evening showers.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 94 and a low around 75. A 40% chance of showers.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 96 and a low around 74.
— National Weather Service
-
A seven-day span in Douglas, Arizona, began with tornado warnings and ended with earthquake tremors. The 4.0 magnitude earthquake originated in Agua Prieta, Mexico.
-
The National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat watch for the Phoenix area Monday through Wednesday.
-
Lori Grace Bailey is a professional photographer and storm chaser in southern Arizona who has actually been struck by lightning — but not in the process of chasing a storm.
-
In 2020, the Arizona monsoon season turned deadly when a powerful storm hit Apache Lake. The deluge took two lives that day: Deanna Peterson and Rick Le Grand. Ryan Schuster was there when it happened and is out now with a new book about the tragedy.
-
Strong winds struck the West Valley overnight, leaving more than 5,000 people still without power on Monday morning.