![]() ![]() In general, the North American Monsoon begins each year in Mexico in June. This new wind blows moist air from the Pacific Ocean and Gulf of California into the region, resulting in thunderstorms and rainfall. During much of the year, the strongest winds over northwestern Mexico, Arizona and New Mexico are dry air blowing from the west.Īs the land heats up in the summer, the wind begins to change direction and blows from the south. The North American Monsoon is a seasonal change in wind that occurs as the summer sun heats the land of North America. This is usually in tropical and subtropical climates. While many of the most well-known monsoons are in Asia, monsoons can happen anywhere there is a seasonal difference in temperature between the land and water. Winter monsoons in these regions near the Indian Ocean are usually dry. When the wind changes direction in the winter, it is called a winter monsoon. The result is a period of humidity and heavy rainfall that can last for months. The warm, moist air then condenses and becomes rain. This causes the wind to change direction and moisture blows toward the land in countries such as India and Sri Lanka. Warm water in the ocean evaporates, rising into the air. The monsoons that cause heaviest rainfall are summer monsoons near the Indian Ocean. ![]() Credit: NOAA/JPL Why does a monsoon cause rain? This diagram shows how seasonal temperature differences between the land and ocean can create the right conditions for a monsoon. In the summer, warm air rising off the land creates conditions that reverse the direction of the wind. Monsoon winds always blow from cold to warm. For example, at the beginning of summer, the land warms up faster than bodies of water. The winds shift because the temperature of the land and the temperature of the water are different as seasons change. In fact, even the word monsoon comes from the Arabic word mausim, which means “season.” What causes a monsoon?Ī monsoon is caused by a seasonal shift in the winds. Monsoons are caused by a change in the direction of the wind that happens when the seasons change. In fact, monsoons can also cause dry weather. While a rainy season is part of a monsoon, a monsoon is more than just rain. When people think of a monsoon, they often think of heavy rains that pour down for weeks. Credit: National Park Service/Stewart Holmes This photo shows a storm during monsoon season in Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona. Southwest also regularly experiences monsoon season. Although many of the most well-known monsoons are in Asia, the U.S. ![]()
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