Monsoon Season Is Nearly Here — Officials Urge Tucson Residents To Be Ready

TUCSON, AZ — Tucson’s official monsoon season begins next week, and this week’s forecast is a reminder that the storms don’t wait for an invitation.

Pima County and Southern Arizona emergency officials are marking Monsoon Awareness Week with a push to make sure residents know what to do — and what not to do — when the skies open up.

The message this year is familiar but worth repeating: if you encounter a flooded road or wash, turn around. Don’t drown. It takes only a few inches of moving water to sweep a person off their feet, and a foot or two to carry away a vehicle entirely.

Officials are also urging residents to keep children away from washes, drainage channels and standing water during and after storms, which can rise and surge with little warning.

Before the Storm Hits

The best time to prepare is before the thunder rolls in. Meteorologists recommend checking forecasts before any extended time outdoors, watching for building storm clouds and keeping a weather radio, AM/FM radio or weather app handy.

Lightning is one of the most underestimated monsoon hazards. It can strike up to 60 miles from where rain is actually falling, which means a clear sky overhead is no guarantee of safety if a storm is nearby.

The rule of thumb: if you can hear thunder, find shelter immediately and stay indoors until at least 30 minutes after the last rumble.

Safe shelter means a sturdy building or a hard-topped vehicle. Ramadas, porches, open areas, trees and convertible cars offer no real protection.

For those planning to spend time at higher elevations, be especially cautious from mid-afternoon to mid-evening, when monsoon storms are most likely to develop. If caught outside with no shelter nearby, move to a low-lying area away from trees, fences and poles.

Inside the home, stay away from plumbing and corded electronics during active storms. Unplug appliances when possible and bring pets indoors.

If someone is struck by lightning, call 911 immediately.

The official monsoon season runs June 15 through September 30, though the most intense storm activity typically arrives in mid-July and runs through mid-September.

This week looks dry but brutally hot. Tucson can expect highs hovering around 103 to 105 degrees through the weekend, with overnight lows in the mid-70s. A slight chance of late-night showers and thunderstorms creeps in Thursday night and again Saturday, with slightly better odds of storms Sunday and Monday nights, each carrying around a 20 percent chance of activity.

It’s not the dramatic monsoon opening many residents wait for, but the heat and building humidity are a reminder that the season is close.