Summertime in Arizona isn’t complete without magnificent storms. It doesn’t take new residents long to learn the word “monsoon” or to learn how to spot a monsoon forming on the horizon in mid-afternoon. We have all said “well it looks like another monsoon today, we can really use the rain” at one time or another. But what is a monsoon and do we really need the rain?

I admit, I had to look it up to learn its meaning. I always thought a monsoon was a massive storm where villages in Asia were washed into the sea and rain was measured in feet. It turns out that my definition of monsoon is one of a dozen different meanings of the word around the world, most of which included the words “southeast Asia” in them. In the United States, however, a monsoon is a seasonal directional wind change which collects moisture from the south and delivers that moisture in the form of heavy rains to the southwestern states.

We’ve been told by our trusty weather men and women that Monsoon Season is officially here when the dew point is at 55 degrees or higher for three consecutive days. What does that mean? It means that when the temperature is cooled to 55 degrees the moisture in the air condenses and forms water. I don’t know about you, but I know the Monsoon Season is officially here when it is not only hot, its humid too. So now we know how to technically define a monsoon. Now let’s get to the topic of “we can really use the rain.” Really?

Residents in the western United States all know about the drought. It started in the mid-1990’s and has ended by most accounts. To get technical again, a drought occurs when recent rainfall (or snow) levels are below 75% of the 30 year running average. The only problem with this definition is how do we define recent. Rainfall in the state of Arizona is above the 30 year average for the past two years. I personally think the drought is over.

So do we still need the rain? The answer in my mind is a resounding YES and here’s why. Population growth will tax our water supplies as soon as drought returns. When I look at the sprawling metropolitan areas all over the western United States, the first thought in my mind is – where is all the water going to come from? Until every reservoir and aquifer is overflowing, we need water. We need all the rain we can get.

When I first moved to Arizona I was amazed at the seemingly endless number of sunny days. I remember one span of 184 days without rain and I was excited about it. My view of rain has changed over the past 12 years as the drought allowed bark beetles to kill millions of Ponderosa Pines, caused wild animal populations to dwindle and some of our lakes to completely disappear. When Monsoon season comes to Arizona in June or July, I get excited and I hope it stays until October. We need the water. Get Outdoors!