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Arizona's monsoon season has been hit or miss, largely depending on where you live, weather experts say.
Monsoon season starts on June 15 and ends on Sept. 30, according to weather officials. The National Weather Service established dates for the start and end of the monsoon season in 2008 rather than using the traditional dew point temperatures. However, these dates only suggest the higher possibility of storms.
With just less than a month remaining in monsoon season and fall on the horizon, here's everything you need to know about summer storms in Arizona and what to expect from the final few weeks of the season.
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When does monsoon season end in Arizona?
The Arizona monsoon season starts approximately in June and continues through September. Since 2008, the established dates from the National Weather Service are from June 15 through Sept. 30.
Before the weather service established these dates, the start of the season was signaled by three consecutive days of average dew point temperatures of 55 degrees or higher. The dew point is the temperature to which air must be cooled to become saturated with water vapor. This is what forms clouds.
How much rain did Arizona get during monsoon?
The monsoon rainfall this summer has varied significantly across the state, with some places seeing more rain than usual and others seeing less.
Phoenix
Metro Phoenix has seen below-average rainfall so far this monsoon season, said Mark O'Malley, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Phoenix.
Sky Harbor International Airport has received 0.74 inches of rain as of Aug. 28, which is more than an inch less than usual, he said.
"The odds are tilted toward a continuation of below normal (rainfall), but all it takes is one big storm," O'Malley said.
O'Malley noted that the rainfall across the state had varied significantly, with some portions receiving above-normal amounts and others being well below normal.
Flagstaff and Northern Arizona
Evan LaGuardia, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Flagstaff, said Flagstaff and much of northern Arizona had seen average rainfall during monsoon season.
LaGuardia said it hasn't been as hot in northern Arizona this summer, which could have affected the typical weather patterns that set up the state for monsoon thunderstorms. He also noted that the weather patterns along the West Coast and pushing into the Intermountain West have affected the formation of storms.
Tucson and southern Arizona
Glenn Lader, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Tucson, said some parts of southern Arizona have seen more rain than normal while others are still below average.
Tucson has seen 5.61 inches of rain as of Aug. 28, which is more than 1.5 inches above the average amount of rainfall the area sees during monsoon, Lader noted. Other areas like Willcox and Picacho Peak have also seen more rain than usual.
Other areas like Safford, Nogales and Sierra Vista are all below normal for this time of year, with some communities receiving nearly 3 inches less than usual, Lader said.
Is more rain expected in September?
The National Weather Service offices across the state noted that monsoon season seems to be winding down.
LaGuardia, the Flagstaff meteorologist, noted that northern Arizona is transitioning into fall weather with cooler morning temperatures expected and fewer chances of storms.
While Flagstaff may be seeing cooler weather, the weather service said metro Phoenix, Tucson and southeastern Arizona were expected to dry out and heat up as September starts.
"Summer isn't over yet," Lader said.
Arizona Republic reporter Raphael Romero Ruiz contributed to this article.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Monsoon season in Arizona ends in a few weeks. Is more rain expected? Here's what to know
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