ARIZONA NEWS

2020 monsoon season fades away in Arizona with historically low rainfall

Sep 30, 2020, 9:15 AM | Updated: 1:12 pm

(Getty Images Photo/Justin Sullivan)...

(Getty Images Photo/Justin Sullivan)

(Getty Images Photo/Justin Sullivan)

PHOENIX – The monsoon storm season in Arizona comes to an end Wednesday, leaving behind almost no trace of its existence.

“We’re closing out probably the worst monsoon that most of us in Arizona have ever seen,” University of Arizona climatologist Mike Crimmins told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Tuesday.

Monsoon season is defined as June 15-Sept. 30.

Metro Phoenix had two days of rain – July 24 with a tenth of an inch, and Aug. 20 with nine-tenths of an inch.

The official gauge at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport collected exactly 1 inch of rain during the season, adding up to the 12th-driest storm period locally since 1896. The average is 2.71 inches.

There was humidity, but other factors that contribute to storms didn’t join the party.

“We had all these moving parts to the monsoon that just didn’t sync up long enough to give us sustained activity,” Crimmins said.

The dry, hot conditions are racing toward a record for most days of at least 100 degrees. Tuesday’s high of 102 degrees was No. 132 on the year. The mark of 143 days at that temperature or higher was set in 1989, according to the National Weather Service.

Phoenix set a record for hottest summer with an average daily temperature of 96.7 degrees June through August.

“If we look at the whole state … it will be the driest and hottest in Arizona,” Crimmins said.

The weather bureau near Flagstaff said the official gauge at the airport had a record-low 1.78 inches. The gauge at Tucson Airport finished with 1.62 inches, just behind the low of 1.59 inches that fell in 1924.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Jim Cross contributed to this report.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus
76° | 49°
51° and partly cloudy

Arizona News

Summerwell Peoria Place renting community aerial view...

Serena O'Sullivan

First phase of new Peoria rental community ready for residents

A new rental community in Peoria called Summerwell Peoria Place is comprised of 255 duplexes as well as one- and two-story detached homes.

7 hours ago

A man is dead, and a woman was hospitalized after a car crashed into a semi-truck in west Phoenix o...

David Veenstra

1 man dead, 1 woman injured in crash involving semi-truck in west Phoenix

A man is dead, and a woman was hospitalized after a car crashed into a semi-truck in west Phoenix on Monday, according to authorities.

9 hours ago

Peoria police...

Danny Shapiro

Peoria Police arrest man accused of breaking into home, killing 2 people

A man accused of breaking into a home and killing two people in Peoria has been arrested, authorities said Tuesday.

10 hours ago

winning Arizona Lottery tickets...

Serena O'Sullivan

2 Valley lottery players win big the weekend after the presidential election

The weekend after Election Day on Nov. 2, two lucky players bought winning Arizona Lottery tickets that earned them significant payouts.

11 hours ago

Phoenix Sky Harbor...

Brandon Brown/Phoenix Business Journal

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport heads into busiest holiday travel season ever

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is not only pacing to have its busiest year ever in 2024, but the upcoming holiday travel season will also have more flights than ever before.

13 hours ago

Follow @KTAR923...

Sponsored Content by Sanderson Ford

Sanderson Ford’s Operation Santa Claus: Spreading holiday cheer through pickleball

Phoenix, AZ – Sanderson Ford, a staple in the Arizona community, is once again gearing up for its annual Operation Santa Claus charity drive.

Sponsored Articles

...

Day & Night Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing

Why a Heating Tune-Up is Essential Before Winter

PHOENIX, AZ — With cooler weather on the horizon, making sure your heating system is prepped and ready can make all the difference in staying comfortable this winter.

...

DISC Desert Institute for Spine Care

The best methods to make your back pain disappear for good

Are you struggling with back pain that will not go away?

...

Dr. Shanyn Lancaster, Family & Sports Medicine physician, Midwestern University Comprehensive Care Clinic – Central Phoenix

Exercise is truly your best medicine

“You never slow down, you never grow old”. – Tom Petty

2020 monsoon season fades away in Arizona with historically low rainfall