It has happened over a forty-eight hour period. The clouds began to move in on a hot wind, and humidity leaped. The heat continues unabated and, with the moisture, feels even warmer now. But if the gardener is more uncomfortable, the plants are a tad more pleased.
The monsoon season has arrived.
The air is heavy tonight; and there is a strong smell of smoke, as it seems one of our neighbors must have had a fire recently. Fire pits are common here, but that smell when the weather is so hot and dry is still unnerving to me! And the pressure isn't allowing the scent to drift away.
In any case, there is a lot of dust and haze. The wind is picking up, but I doubt there is enough moisture in the clouds to produce rain... yet...
Weather Diary: Partly sunny and hazy; High: 110 F (43 C)/Low: 82 F (28 C); Humidity: 22%-44%
Write a comment
Cathy (Sunday, 09 July 2017 08:56)
It sounds exciting, and I hope your monsoon season gives you plenty of much needed moisture!
Loree / danger garden (Sunday, 09 July 2017 11:57)
I have the sweetest memories of my (then) little nephew dancing in the rain when the first monsoon hit during our July visit. Not so sweet are the memories of trying to find a non-flooded route from the Tucson Botanical Garden back to the U of A to pick up Andrew. Was determined not to become one of those stupid tourists who gets stranded and needs to be rescued!
Kris P (Sunday, 09 July 2017 14:49)
I hope that moisture transforms into rain soon, Amy! We're feeling the monsoonal energy even here but the likelihood of a thunderstorm making it this far is slim to none. I love summer thunderstorms but they're a rare event for us.
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Monday, 10 July 2017 00:00)
I do hope so, Cathy! Last summer we received almost no rain, but the weather feels a little different already this year, or so I think... ;-)
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Monday, 10 July 2017 00:05)
Loree - I remember when we first moved in, hearing the neighbors' kid shriek "It's raining" over the first few drops. It can take on a holiday atmosphere :) I can't say much about stupid tourists since, during our first summer, we did manage to get stranded less than a mile from home... for seven long hours... between two angles of the wash that runs through our neighborhood. Haven't done that again lol!
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Monday, 10 July 2017 00:10)
Kris - Summer rains are hugely important here as they break into the intense heat that usually builds up over May and June. The heat has broken a little bit today, but I'm not holding my breath on rain. I wish some moisture could get out your way too and on up into the Santa Barbara fire areas!
Diana Studer (Sunday, 16 July 2017 17:09)
Makes SUCH a difference to plants if it is either a little cooler, or a little moister.
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Monday, 17 July 2017 20:10)
Diana - It's tremendous... I do my best by using shade as much as possible, but that isn't the same as an actual drop in temperature!