2021 North American Monsoon Recap

October 15, 2021

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2021 North American Monsoon marked by wetter-than-normal conditions in southwestern US

The North American Monsoon (NAM) refers to a shift in the synoptic-scale wind pattern that transports low-to-midlevel moisture from the Eastern Pacific and Gulf of Mexico into the southwestern US during summer
The NAM is an important source of annual precipitation for parts of the southwestern US
Unlike the stronger Indian Monsoon, the NAM is characterized by episodic bursts of moisture transport and rainfall
The 2021 monsoon season was characterized by an abundance of moisture and frequent precipitation episodes, particularly in Arizona
Arizona experienced its 9th wettest July–September period since 1895
Anomalously wet conditions during July–September brought much-needed drought relief to portions of the Four Corners Region