5:14 am

Hazy morning. This was my view through my blinds moments after arising this morning. Those are the Santa Rita Mountains. It's a great view to wake up to every day.

The humidity and dew points are both already 69 (percent and degrees, respectively). Conditions are now right but I don't think today is going to be the day.



I've mentioned the "monsoon" several times without really explaining what it is. If the National Weather Service had it's way, it would be called Severe Thunderstorm Season. That's what it basically is. Hit and miss severe storms throughout July, August and September.

A monsoon storm can cause flash flooding and wildly dangerous conditions, including fires caused by lightening in the mountains. Microbursts, hail and tropical storm force winds are common.

We depend upon the monsoon for the majority of our rainfall for the year. Right now, Tucson has only had 0.59 inches of rain and is over 2.5 inches below average in annual rainfall. It hasn't rained since April 10.

The monsoon officially starts when we have three consecutive days of dew points of 53 degrees or more. Today will be day two.