Posted on 07/11/2017 7:48:40 AM PDT by SandRat
TUCSON — National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration meteorologists advise that a high pressure ridge is currently positioned over the four corners area of Arizona. This placement has provided conditions for moisture from Mexico to be swept into Arizona, bringing the much-needed moisture southeast Arizona normally receives at this time of year from the Mexican monsoon.
While a very welcome event, this surge of moisture brings with it lightning that has historically ignited a number of fires across the Coronado National Forest’s landscapes. A number of such ignitions are expected to occur over the next several weeks as monsoonal moisture moves into the area. While some lightning-ignited fires will be immediately evident, others may remain undetected for several days until conditions become favorable for them to grow into observable incidents.
Wildland firefighters, many of whom have been working on recent wildfires on the forest, are positioned to respond to the expected new ignitions as the monsoon begins. It is anticipated that normally-occurring wetting rains will be associated with many of the lightning events and sufficient rain will fall to reduce wildfire activity and pause the Coronado’s year-round fire season. Until then and beyond, fire crews remain vigilant to respond to new ignitions.
As precipitation moves into southeastern Arizona, it does so sporadically. While some areas of the forest have received rainfall, other have not. Significant, wetting rains are needed to overcome dry conditions prevalent throughout the forest. For this reason, Stage 2 fire restrictions remain in effect throughout the forest.
Until fire restrictions are rescinded, the following are prohibited:
Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove fire, including within a developed recreation site, or improved site.
Using an explosive.
Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building. Smoking is prohibited in all federal buildings.
Operating or using any equipment powered by an internal combustion engine, except motor vehicles.
Welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame.
Discharging a firearm, air rifle or gas gun, except while engaged in a lawful hunt pursuant to state, federal, or tribal law, and regulations.
Possessing operating motor vehicles off National Forest System roads, including but not limited to cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, and ATVs, except for when parking in an area devoid of vegetation within 10 feet of the roadway, and except for parking overnight in Forest Service developed campground and trailheads.
Fireworks are always prohibited year-round on federal lands.
Violation of restrictions on federal lands is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor, which includes a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual and up to $10,000 for organizations and possible imprisonment for not more than six months or both. Violators may also be held personally responsible for reimbursement of fire suppression costs. Arizona and New Mexico state laws carry similar penalties.
Pressurized liquid or gas stoves, lanterns and heaters possessing shut-off devices are allowed. Areas where stoves will be used should be clear of grasses and other fine fuels. Stoves should be secured to prevent tipping and igniting a fire.
Cigarettes should never be thrown out the window of a vehicle. Instead, ashtrays should be used in order to prevent wildfires.
Vehicles should never be parked over dead grass; catalytic converters can ignite the vegetation.
For a more detailed explanation concerning agency restrictions and fire information in general, visit wildlandfire.az.gov or call the toll-free Southwest Fire Restrictions Hotline at 1-877-864-6985.
Monsoonal rain in the Mountain West - fake news.
Monsoonal rain is a completely different weather event - which this is not. But what does one expect from the anti-Science left - monsoonal sounds just, so cool - so let’s say it!
When I was at Huachuca I always enjoyed the monsoon. The lightening was spectacular!
Could you elaborate on your put down of the use of the word monsoon?
Southern Arizona has enjoyed monsoons for centuries.
Joe Bastardi discussed this today in his daily update.
The current pressure ridge is not associated with the Mexican monsoon season which starts in August.
Which means the thunderstorms produced by this current weather setup will extend the fire season by at least 3 weeks.
https://www.weatherbell.com/#premium
and srill is.
Arizona monsoons started pre statehood era until now,June 24th, San Juan’s Day. Late this year. High pressure system from so much B.S. this year, not global warming caused delay.
Check out Joe Bastardi’s discussion this morning on weatherbell / premium / morning update - it’s free and very informative. He has talked about what a monsoonal flow is and is not many times, and usually every summer.
The monsoon season in this area mainly produces local convention storms in the afternoon and evening. These are often "high-base" thunderstorms where the rain evaporates before hitting the ground. This means lots of lightning and outflow winds but not a lot of precipitation.
I used to live in Northern Coastal California; and they have a different kind of monsoon season, with massive frontal systems (instead of local convention storms) that can stretch all the way to Hawaii and even the Phillipines. This is the "Pineapple Express," which can do billions in flood damage.
No link? Could you summarize?
https://www.weatherbell.com/#premium
Dew points increase under a ridge of high pressure and you get daytime thunderstorms and dissipate at night - high level heat source. Monsoonal flow is classically associated with seasonal changes in West Africa and Asia-Australia. Could make a case for it on the Pacific coast of Mexico, but not really for what happens in the Rockies and Appalachians which are general daytime heating events.
Have tried to find Bastardi discussions. Just not able.
However, Arizona has seasonal rains every year. Perhaps the mechanism is not related to Rockies phenomena as best I understand it. Arizona’s seasonal moisture is from Mexico.
Called monsoon. Tends to saturate Southern Arizona starting late June usually and moves north, weakening until it barely spits on Phoenix in August.
We usually get monsoonal rain in Colorado beginning about this time of year, generally in the form of afternoon thundershowers.
You could call them hurricanes and name them each day! Or if you are missing winter, call them afternoon blizzards!
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