Photos: Tucson's 2019 monsoon
According to the National Weather Service, monsoon typically starts June 15. Here's a look back at photos from last year's storms.
Monsoon 2019
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A lightning bolt strikes in the western part of the city, part of the second of two bands of monsoon storms to roll over the area, Tucson, Ariz., August 28, 2019.
Monsoon 2019
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The sunset is reflected in the rain slicked intersection of Ajo Way and Valencia Rd., during the first of two bands of monsoon storms to roll over the area, Tucson, Ariz., August 28, 2019.
Monsoon 2019
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Sunset over the construction project at the former La Placita Village, near Church and Broadway downtown Tucson, Ariz., August 16, 2019.
Monsoon 2019
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A disabled car sits in the flooded wash at Copper and Wilson as the waters in the wash rise around it as monsoon finally delvers some rain, Tucson, Ariz., August 10, 2019.
Monsoon 2019
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A bicyclist negotiates the overflow from a wash crossing Glenn at Wilson as the monsoon finally delvers some rain, Tucson, Ariz., August 10, 2019.
Monsoon 2019
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Rural Metro Fire Department personnel watch over the flooded Julian Wash at Irvington after being dispatched for a swift water rescue as monsoon finally delvers some rain, Tucson, Ariz., August 10, 2019. Rescue ended up being not needed as the subject safely walked out of the wash on their own just as the RMFD arrived.
Monsoon 2019
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In a monsoon haze, the sun sets behind a ridge just west of Greasewood near Starr Pass, Tucson, Ariz., August 8, 2019.
Monsoon 2019
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Bank of America Plaza and One South Church, the former UniSource Energy Tower, catch the last of the day's colorful sunlight filtered through monsoon clouds, Tucson, Ariz., August 8, 2019.
Monsoon 2019
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Sunset lights the clouds over the dozens of international flags flying behind The National Law Center for Inter-American Free Trade, 440 N Bonita Ave., Tucson, Ariz., August 8, 2019.
Monsoon 2019
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Monsoon clouds make a big show over the valley, but fail to deliver on the promises of rain, Tucson, Ariz., August 7, 2019.
Monsoon over Sunnyside football
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Sunnyside players get warmed up as a monsoon storm rolls in overhead during the Blue Devils' practice, Tucson, Ariz., August 6, 2019.
Monsoon
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Monsoon storm clouds roll over the new control tower at Tucson International Airport, Tucson, Ariz., August 3, 2019.
Monsoon 2019
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A patchy monsoon storm drops some heavy, but isolated rain, on the southeast side just after sunset, Tucson, Ariz., August 1, 2019.
Monsoon 2019
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A patchy monsoon storm drops two lightning bolts on the southeast side, Tucson, Ariz., August 1, 2019.
Monsoon 2019
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A patchy monsoon storm throws down a lightning bolt on the southeast side, Tucson, Ariz., August 1, 2019.
Monsoon 2019
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A patchy monsoon storm throws down a snaky lightning bolt on the southeast side, Tucson, Ariz., August 1, 2019.
Monsoon 2019
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A patchy monsoon storm throws down a lightning bolt on the southeast side, Tucson, Ariz., August 1, 2019.
Monsoon 2019
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A biker pedal through the water running down Desert Ave. and flowing across Glenn in the aftermath of monsoon downpour, Tucson, Ariz., July 31, 2019.
Monsoon 2019
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Tucson Fire Department personnel extricate a woman from a car pinned against the sidewalk safety railings at culvert overflowing Glenn Street at Wilson Street in Tucson, Ariz., July 31, 2019.
Monsoon 2019
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A monsoon front rolls in over the city bringing brief, but heavy rain in Tucson, Ariz., July 31, 2019.
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Monsoon sunset behind a ridge northwest of Kinney Rd., Tucson, Ariz., July 25, 2019.
Monsoon 2019
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A biker heads east along Cushing St. near the Santa Cruz River under a monsoon sunset, Tucson, Ariz., July 24, 2019.
Monsoon 2019, bats take flight
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A member of the crowd gets cell phone video of the nightly exodus of thousands of Mexican free-tailed bats from under the Campbell Ave. bridge over the Rillito River, Friday, July 19, 2019, Tucson, Ariz. Friday was Bats in Flight night at the bridge, and Pima County naturalists were on hand to answer questions and guide a few all-ages bat related activities. The next scheduled Bats in Flight is August 17, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., it's free and no registration is needed.
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A falcon rides the lines running along Speedway just east of Greasewood under a monsoon sunset, Wednesday, July 17, 2019, Tucson, Ariz.
Monsoon 2019
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Lighting strikes straddle a ridge in the Rincon Mountains east of Tucson, looking east from the Agua Caliente Wash at Houghton Road on Sunday, July 14, 2019, Tucson, Ariz.
Monsoon 2019
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A worker from Pearson's Signs helps to lower the PPEP Inc. sign down to the ground after high winds from Saturday's monsoon storm tipped the sign over at 901 E. Benson Highway on July 15, 2019. PPEP Inc., Portable, Practical Educational Preparation, is a non-profit that provides services to empower people living in rural areas through education, health, housing, counseling, employment, job training and many others.
Monsoon 2019
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A monsoon storm, the first significant one of the season, crashes a few bolts down just before the gates opened for the Annual Bloom Night at Tohono Chul Park, July 13, 2019, Tucson, Ariz.
Monsoon 2019
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Monsoon sunset behind downtown, Saturday, July 6, 2019, Tucson, Ariz.
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The last bit of a monsoon storm breaks up in the sky just west of town after dropping a few sprinkles before fading away, Friday, July 5, 2019, Marana, Ariz.
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A bolt of lightning appears to hit the high-rise at 5151 E. Broadway as a monsoon cell moves over the eastern part of town, Saturday, July 6, 2019, Tucson, Ariz.
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Monsoon sunset behind downtown, Saturday, July 6, 2019, Tucson, Ariz.
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Monsoon sunset throws light on the Union Pacific Railroad tracks running under Kino Parkway at Aviation Highway, Saturday, July 6, 2019, Tucson, Ariz.
Kelly Presnell
Photojournalist
Rick Wiley
Photo editor
As featured on
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