Research Stories
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What's the big idea?
Monsoons
In Arizona, people often refer to summer rainstorms as “the monsoons.” These rains are caused by the monsoon, but a monsoon is not actually a storm. A monsoon is a seasonal change in the prevailing wind direction.
In winter, winds travel from cold, high-pressure regions toward warm, low-pressure regions. This makes the areas that the winds cross dry and mild in temperature.
In summer, the winds reverse, pulling moist ocean air over the hot land and creating the characteristic summer thunderstorms.
Monsoons occur not only in the southwestern U.S. but also in Southeast Asia and India.
Fun fact
According to Arizona folklore, the monsoon season will start about a week after the cicadas begin to sing at night.
About Us
Research Stories brings you the latest discoveries, ideas, and creations from scientists and scholars at ASU. We seek to inform the public about research at ASU, the scientific process, and the people who make it happen.
Research Stories is produced by the communications team in ASU's Office of Knowledge Enterprise Development.
Media
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