Since 2008 the National Weather Service has identified Tucson's official monsoon season as starting June 15 and ending Sept. 30. The storms bring much needed moisture to the desert, but often come with lightning, high winds, flash flooding, hail and driving conditions that can be dangerous. And they leave behind lots of broken trees.
Thursday, July 16
• Expect storms to develop this afternoon mostly over the mountains, the National Weather Service in Tucson said Early Thursday afternoon on its Facebook page.
They said to expect gusty winds and bursts of rainfall that could be heavy but brief.
The storms were moving north at about 10 mph, the Weather Service said. Storm activity could increase later in the day.
• Runoff, debris flow out of the Catalina Mountains near Tucson could cause "life-threatening" flash flooding, officials warned this week. They said pubic access to Mount Lemmon and Sabino Canyon might not be possible again until November.
• Pima County shared a video Thursday that shows how quickly a wash in Tucson can become a river during the monsoons.
• This is Tucson shares 7 things to know about hummingbirds.
Tuesday, July 14
• It might seem odd, but monsoon season can be a good time for planting.
• At monsoon time, Tucson's toads go looking for love.
• Just before the monsoons hit our desert the hardest, members of the Tohono O’odham Nation carry out an ancient custom: plucking the fruit from the giant saguaro cactus.
Monday, July 13
• This easy-to-use map from Tucson Electric Power lets you track power outages.
• This Is Tucson can help you quickly become a monsoon pro. Check out their quick monsoon guide: 10 facts about Arizona's 2020 monsoon season.
• A massive sandstorm swept across the Wilcox area Saturday. The Cochise County Sheriff's Department shared these two photos. Sheriff's Department tips for drivers caught in a sandstorm: Pull off the right side of the road, as far as safely possible; Turn off your lights; Put the vehicle in "park" and leave your foot off the brakes; Be patient and wait out the dust storm before getting back on the road.
Sunday, July 12
• Tucson's Bighorn Fire: Area's first monsoon storm helps 'put a damper' on long-burning fire.
• A monsoon storm causes power outages across Tucson.
Saturday, July 11
• As monsoons loom, feds 'roll the dice' on building border wall across the San Pedro River.
• Tucson's Monsoon 2020: A collection of storm-related photos.
