Southwest Monsoon 2022

[James K]

More monsoon storms last night!
I noticed lightning to my north sometime nearing 10pm, had a look at radar, also noting another storm to the south... then went just after 10 to stormwatch & video the lightning..
I certainly had a good dual 'light show' to watch. At some point, I noticed low-level clouds moving west - towards the mountains... Upslope flow!
Wasn't long after that that lightning intensity picked up a bit & the empty space between the storms filling in. Basically formed up into a QLCS type thing.
I'll just say that I was treated to an awesome "light show" last night, especially after the point when I noticed the upslope flow.

Not long after the QLCS formed up, I had to go in because the rain started.
Then it all consolidated into a single storm system (and went severe-warned/flood advisory).
So not only did I get that great light show last night, I got another good soaking rain

Now this is what I live for..my first true love! A good summer thunderstorm (and one that moved right over me
It was well worth staying up late for this. I deff would not want to have missed it!!!

(radar shots show the 3 points that I mentioned)

 

[Mike Smith]

Here is the 30-day departure from normal rainfall ending 12Z on June 29. Some areas have received more than eight inches above normal rainfall. Given the intensity of the drought in the region, this is a godsend.

 

[John Farley]

I am not sure if this is really the right place to post this, but since it has to do with the monsoon, I will post it here. Mods, feel free to move if this is the wrong place. My question is this: to what extent could this week's major flood events in St. Louis and in Kentucky be connected to the Southwest monsoon? I know there are other factors involved - a stationary front, the jet stream, and moisture directly from the Gulf of Mexico, for example. But I have also noticed that past several years looking at satellite pictures that clouds associated with the monsoon plume don't just stop when they get past the 4 Corners states, but often continue east or northeastward into the Midwest. Usually this time of year, big storms associated with stationary fronts or with the north edge of the heat dome are farther north, in places like Minnesota or Iowa. But often, in looking at satellite pictures, they seem to be a continuation of the monsoon plume. And with this week's flooding storms, that also looks to be true if you look at satellite pictures. Yet, although I lived in the Midwest (various places) for 60+ years before moving out west after retirement, I never heard any meteorologist associate any storms there with the monsoon. Yet there does appear to me to be some association. In addition to the satellite, "ridge runner" storms seem to circulate around much of the heat dome that is usually over the South and parts of the Midwest this time of year, and the northward surging moisture of the monsoon on the west side of the heat dome/high pressure area is part of this pattern. So, understanding that other factors are involved and that storms like those in St. Louis and Kentucky are not just a simple extension of the monsoon, I would be interested in any feedback on how they are related. And if indeed that is true, why don't people in the Midwest hear about it in weather broadcasts and articles. Thanks for any input anyone can share!

 

[James K]

@Mike Smith:
Yep, that certainly is good to see for those areas that have gotten above normal precip! Hopefully now with Aug upon us, that will move to some of the other locations that are still below normal..

@John Farley:
While I can't say I've looked at that myself, but sounds interesting.

I know that 'monsoon' by definition has something to do with a seasonal change in direction of the winds...
I'm wondering if *maybe* for locations farther north/east that wind-direction part doesn't apply? so its not 'officially' a monsoon?
(even if it is still monsoonal moisture being fed into the area)

 

[James K]

4 frame-grabs from vids taken during the storms on night of July 27
(a great light-show that even video doesn't do justice. only way to do it is sitting out on the roof in person. .lol.)

My camcorder doesn't do great n low-light, so quality isn't the best.

 

[Steve Frederick]

Incredible lightning photos here.
Thanks for posting.

 

[John Farley]

Here's one of lightning over the South San Juans, looking east from Pagosa Springs a couple days ago.