06/08/2026
DID YOU KNOW?
Monsoon season has official dates: June 15–September 30. Why?
Before 2008, different locations used different methods to determine when monsoon season began. Some areas relied on different dewpoint thresholds, while others used different criteria, and there was no universally recognized end date. To improve awareness, preparedness and coordination, weather agencies adopted a fixed monsoon season across the Southwest.
The change created a consistent framework for public safety messaging, education, forecasting and seasonal tracking. It does not mean storms start exactly on June 15 or stop on September 30. Instead, the dates represent the time of year when monsoon impacts are most likely to occur, similar to how hurricane season is defined.
What comes to mind first when you think of monsoon season: rain, lightning, dust storms, or the smell of creosote after the first storm?
