Submitting Campus
Prescott
Department
Applied Aviation Sciences
Document Type
Article
Publication/Presentation Date
Spring 4-25-2024
Abstract/Description
The North American Monsoon (NAM) is a seasonal shift in pressure and wind which accounts for over half of the southwest’s annual precipitation. North-central Arizona has variable terrain which influences the location and intensity of convective storms. Severe weather such as strong winds, lightning, and hail can cause loss of life, property, and fires. High spatial and temporal resolution data along with reanalysis data is used to identify convective cells and their motion for the 2015 to 2022 NAM seasons. The heaviest precipitation in north-central Arizona is found over the Bradshaw Mountains and is most active in July and August. Mountainous regions have their average precipitation maximum in the early afternoon, whereas valleys have their maximum in the evening. Over north-central Arizona, the average storm motion is from the southwest, consistent with the 500-hPa wind direction. Monsoon precipitation differs from winter precipitation as NAM convection forms over the peaks of mountains and propagates down the lee side.
Publication Title
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Thesis
Publisher
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Scholarly Commons Citation
Graeler, G., Sinclair, M., & James, C. N. (2024). A Climatology of North American Monsoon Precipitation Over Arizona from MRMS Data. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Thesis, (). Retrieved from https://commons.erau.edu/publication/2296