Nonsoon? Phoenix had one of the driest monsoon seasons on record in 2024, per NWS
PHOENIX - It appears that 2024's monsoon season was a bit lacking when it comes to rain.
According to data released by the National Weather Service on Sept 30, Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix recorded 0.74 inches of rain for the monsoon season, making the 2024 season the seventh driest monsoon season on record.
In an X (formerly Twitter) post made by NWS officials in Phoenix, it was noted that as a whole, the Phoenix area saw varied rainfall, with parts of the West Valley receiving even less rain, at below 0.25 inches, while parts of Scottsdale and North Phoenix received between 1.5 to three inches of rain.
Phoenix’s average rainfall during a monsoon season is 2.43 inches. Per the NWS, Monsoon season lasts from June 15 to Sept. 30.
Arizona had drier 2023 as well
2024 was not the only dry year, in terms of monsoon, for Arizona, as 2023 also featured a drier monsoon season.
In fact, NWS officials said the 2023 monsoon season was the driest on record.
According to a review of the 2023 monsoon season that was put together by NOAA and the NWS office in Phoenix, a large portion of southwestern U.S. saw much drier than normal conditions after the monsoon seasons of 2021 and 2022, which were described as "fairly wet."
In addition, NWS officials said the 2023 monsoon season saw the third-fewest number of total lightning strikes across Arizona, with just over 200,000 stgrikes.
"Widespread thunderstorm activity is often associated with the North American monsoon," read a portion of the report.