Got Monsoon?

Yes.  We've got monsoon.  The pattern has started.  Every afternoon the clouds roll in.  The wind picks up.  You may feel a few drops or see a few drops of water on the ground or the windshield.  Then the rain starts falling heavier and very soon thereafter the rain is falling in sheets and buckets.  After a period of time, sometimes a half hour, sometimes an hour or more, the rain tapers off and the storm moves out.  The sun may reappear or the quiet of night replaces the pounding of the monsoon rain.

Last week it was over 110 degrees in the afternoon.  This week it is 100 degrees.  Within a matter of a couple of hours, the monsoon lowers the temperatures thirty degrees to a humid 70 degrees.  The humidity is over 70 percent and it feels hotter because of the humidity.  Remember, we are used to a dry heat here in the Southwest Desert.  Monsoon changes that.  The smell of humidity reminds one of a more tropical climate.  Insects may appear during this season, only to disappear when monsoon is over.  Plants can enjoy the humidity and deep watering.  Enjoy it while you can.  After a while it will be gone and all will be dry again.

The long range forecast calls for chance of rain every day for over a week.  This afternoon the weatherman reported over 40 lightening strikes in a 15 minute period.  The winds did damage to a roof.  We've got monsoon.  What have you got? 

Southwest Desert Blogger
C. (c)2011

It Rained

It finally rained.  Last evening, after about 90 days of no rain, it rained for about 15 minutes.  It was a heavy downpour -- enough to  overflow the gutters.  This morning I got out the ladder and climbed up onto the roof to clean out the gutters.  I also trimmed the trees that were growing over the edge of the roof and dropping leaves into the gutters.  There are piles of tree trimmings around the house.

Then, late this afternoon, the wind swept in and blew over anything light such as plastic watering cans and buckets, folding patio chairs, a wooden bird house, and pieces of wood propped up against the wall.  Heavy rain followed the wind.  The rain did not fall vertically as it did yesterday.  It blew in horizontally.  It was the sort of rain that is so heavy you hear it if you are in the house.  It sounds almost like hail even though it is only rain.

The wind blew and the rain fell hard.  There was some thunder.  The TV weatherman reported over 25 lightening strikes in the area within a 15 minute period.  Then, after about a half hour, the storm moved on.  A while later the sun came out and dried most of the puddles.  As the song says, "the skies are not cloudy all day."

The smell of moist earth and humidity in the air linger into the night.  The temperature has dropped to  75 degrees.  The sky is mostly cloudy for the night of July 4th.  Monsoon is officially here yet the Independence Day festivities will continue, as scheduled, after dark.  I can hear the sound of fireworks in the distance.  As I look toward town I can see a fireworks display.  The lollypop ruby red fireworks are the most vibrant color against the black sky.  There is a slight drizzle and a light breeze.  The rain is so light I can stand outside and the breeze nearly dries all the rain as it falls.  The fireworks show is about 50 minutes long.  By the end of the show, the rain has stopped.  Sweet dreams.  Sleep well.

God Bless America and God Bless you all,
Southwest Desert Blogger
C.  (c)2011