Atmosphere Comparison

[Jim]

The endless chatter of weather.

[cathymocha]

Over here in south Glendale near the Cardinals stadium we had plenty of rain. Neighbors and their children were out playing in it or just soaking up the coolness.

There must have been a micro-burst near the stadium as the telephone poles were broken near the bottoms in a twisted fashion and a number of trees (well over thirty) were broken and some uprooted. The hole in the roof of the stadium looked a bit larger to me than I expected. I heard we received about an inch of rain.

[azbackpackr]

It is very, very SOGGY in the White Mtns. right now and unless you have a camper or are staying in a cabin or motel, I would say, wait a week or two before coming up here--watch the weather forecasts. Everything is muddy, everything is wet. And the forecast is for more of it.

[Jim]

I'll say its muddy, wet and soggy. I hope this is the peak of the monsoon, and we start a drying trend that leads to more isolated storms the rest of the season. We've basically had all the rain we need for the summer anyway.

[JimmyLyding]

The monsoon was certainly rocking in the Pinals today. Coanbru & I started out in 80% humidity in the sun, and ended up in heavy rain from a thunder/lightning storm that almost smoked me with a flash that came out of a metal pipe in the trail.

[azbackpackr]

thunder/lightning storm that almost smoked me with a flash that came out of a metal pipe in the trail.

Glad you are back to tell the tale!

The barn and rec offices where I work at the dude ranch flooded last week (I wasn't there). They have had to dig trenches all around the doors.

[Jim]

Is it me, or is this monsoon season ruining the summer? I think it is around here, anyway. We had 5.94 inches of rain at the Flagstaff airport this July, and almost all of that was in the last half of the month. We've had so much rain that we are now above normal for the year and water year. That is good, and it does come at a time that the plants can use the moisture, but we also haven't seen the sun around here for over two weeks. It sure would have been nice to have had some sunny days to allow for the plants to use the water, and to allow people to regain their sanity and not feel like they are living in an overcast box. I'll never understand the appeal of the PNW, not when half the year is like this. Unless August is a dry dud, I say bring on the Autumn dry season!

[sirena]

but we also haven't seen the sun around here for over two weeks

Ugh. I remember that from growing up in Chicago, there is nothing more dreary and unmotivating.

[chumley]

Is it me, or is this monsoon season ruining the summer?

Its just you.

[Jim]

Is it me, or is this monsoon season ruining the summer?

Its just you.

Yeah, well, you know, I'm one of those weird people who thinks summer should be the nice time of year, not the lousy time of year when the sun isn't seen for weeks on end and there is no reason to get out of bed.

[paulhubbard]

I know what you mean, Jim. No longer is it "a dry heat" down here on the Surface of the Sun.

[azdesertfather]

Hey, maybe some of you monsoon posters can help me. Last time I did Humphrey's summit I did it during August, starting before sunup to be done and under the treeline by noon. I barely got out in time; by the time we arrived at camp it was a full-on thunderstorm.

Today, a guy told me he's ready for me to lead him up there. I'm thinking about delaying past August to avoid as much of the monsoon fun as possible, for his sake. How late should I try to plan it, however, without running a good risk of snowfall up there? Any of you have a good feel for when snowfall starts on Humphreys? I'd rather take him up during monsoon time than with snow and ice on the ground.

What would you say that ideal window is in-between, the month of September? Early October too late??

[chumley]

There's a happy time between mid September and early November that I think is ideal. Of course summer can be just fine too as long as you pay attention to the weather forecast very closely. There are lulls in the monsoon (not the past two weeks) that often provide a few good days even in July and August. But you can't plan in advance for those. It's basically a 1-2 day window of confidence that the weather will be clear.

So if it must be planned ahead of time, I recommend the end of September or early October.

[Jim]

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/fgz/Monthly_Sum ... Review.pdf
It has been a very wet July. Flagstaff had it's 4th wettest with 5.94", Williams and Payson had their wettest ever with 7.31" and 3.8", and McNary over by Elizabeth also had it's wettest with 8.6" of rain. Thats a lot of rain! Now, if we could just see the sun up here for the first time since July 16th.

Two days into August and we are still picking it up. We've already had 0.76" here in Flag.

[azbackpackr]

My daughter lives in Flag and loves to go dancing in the evening, and says they all look like something the cat dragged in after an evening of vigorous dancing--it is SO humid there right now and she says the sweat will be pouring off everyone in the place!

[Jim]

It is very humid, but it's finally sunny. In fact, its clear and sunny right now. It's the first time in weeks, and its awesome to finally see the sun!

[chumley]

I could sure use some rain here. Its the first time in my memory that Sky Harbor has more rain than my house during the monsoon ... and its got me by more than DOUBLE right now.

[Jim]

Well, thats the nature of thunderstorms. Right now there is a big angry storm over the Peaks area which is moving northeast, but south of town and the Peaks its broken clouds and sun. Other than the high humidity, which is at 57%, its a pretty nice day. maybe we'll get lucky and have a severe storm later in the day that includes some severe lightning and possible some hail. I love those kinds of storms.

[Alston_Neal]

I could sure use some rain here. Its the first time in my memory that Sky Harbor has more rain than my house during the monsoon ... and its got me by more than DOUBLE right now.

You could always cheer yourself up by taking a stroll by the town lake.

[chumley]

I don't have my alligator repellent, so I'm not sure that would be a safe stroll.

[Alston_Neal]

I recommend a poodle on a long leash.
It still amazes me though how regional showers can be and in your case the airport.
The airport seems to be the last place to get rain, yet you're behind it.

I can only conclude that you've pissed someone off.. ;)