As Oklahomans continue to navigate the sweltering summer heat, a unique weather phenomenon is on the horizon for the state’s far western regions and the Panhandle. State Climatologist Gary McManis is anticipating an increased moisture flow from the Gulf of California and eastern Pacific, signaling the start of the North American Monsoon season, which typically runs from late June through August. This seasonal shift promises a welcome, albeit temporary, respite from the usual dry and hot conditions.
“We’ll be glad to get a break from the leftovers our High Plains friends in far western OK and the Panhandle get every summer with this increased moisture flow,” said McManus. While the intense heat is expected to persist for a while, there’s a beacon of relief in the forecast. “You can see the relief at the end of the next 7 days, around Tuesday and possibly lasting through the 4th of July holiday.”
The monsoon, often an unfamiliar term to those outside the Southwestern U.S., is a fascinating seasonal weather shift. It brings much-needed moisture and rain to normally arid areas like Arizona and New Mexico during the summer months. McManus says the mechanism behind it is driven by intense land heating, which “pulls in warm, moist air from places like the Gulf of California, the Pacific Ocean, and even the Gulf of Mexico.” This humid air is then forced upwards over mountains and into higher elevations. The combination of rising motion and the intense summer heat creates prime conditions for afternoon thunderstorms.
These monsoon thunderstorms are characteristic for their sudden onset and equally rapid dissipation. They can deliver “heavy rain, lightning, strong winds, and flash flooding,” often popping up with little warning. “It’s nature’s way of temporarily flipping the switch from dry to stormy in the desert,” McManus explained, acknowledging the potential “painful” impact these sudden deluges can have.
For communities in the Oklahoma Panhandle, including Boise City, Guymon, Goodwell, and even far western Oklahoma sites like Buffalo and Laverne, this means a significant increase in rainfall during the latter parts of June through August. Historical data supports this, showing that “the proportion of their average annual total rainfall that they receive percentage-wise also peaks in July and August.”
Looking ahead, a weak front is expected to provide some relief for central and eastern Oklahoma next week. This could bring “a bit more mild, wet weather” to areas that typically don’t experience the direct effects of the North American Monsoon, allowing all Oklahomans to potentially enjoy a break from the relentless summer heat and dryness.
To read more from Gary McManus on his mesonet ticker, click here:
