Introduction to Monsoonal Storms
Monsoonal storms have been wreaking havoc across the western United States, causing disruptions to major events and daily life. As Burning Man kicked off in northwest Nevada this weekend, a major dust storm forced traffic to a halt as attendees tried to avoid the desert’s wrath. In Yosemite National Park, hikers were surprisingly soaked, while thunderstorms across California’s interior launched rapid-fire lightning strikes that sparked several forest fires.
The Cause of the Storms
The impetus for this widespread wild weather was a late-arriving monsoonal pattern, fueled by the region’s lingering heat that pulled atmospheric moisture north — and, with it, instability. “When you add in moisture and a lot of heat, that’s when you get the potential for these thunderstorms,” said Edan Lindaman, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Reno. Forecasters had warned that a “monsoonal surge” kicking off Saturday would bring a strong chance for thunderstorms that could create gusty winds, dangerous dry lightning and even some brief downpours.
Effects of the Storms
On Saturday, major winds threw dust and debris across Nevada’s remote deserts, creating hazards from Boulder City in the south up to the Black Rock Desert in the north, where thousands of creatives and others from around the world had started gathering for Burning Man. The ferocious dust storm around the event’s temporary Black Rock City forced organizers to shutter the event’s gates and its nearby airport as the weather service warned of a “wall of blowing dust.” There were several reported injuries. The storm produced winds up to 50 mph Saturday and just below that Sunday, Lindaman said.
Rain and Flooding
To the southeast in the Sierra Nevada, rare August rain fell across parts of the range this weekend, with one-10th of an inch falling in the Yosemite Valley and more than 2 inches at some of the park’s higher elevations, according to the weather service. There were also reports of minor flooding near Lake Isabella in Kern County that temporarily closed at least one road.
Lightning Strikes and Fires
In many areas, the thunderstorms dropped little or no rain but brought lightning strikes flashing across the sky from interior Southern California to the northern Sierras this weekend. The U.S. Forest Service reported more than 10,000 lightning strikes within a 24-hour period Saturday and Sunday, but said “thanks to aggressive initial attack we only have one new significant fire.” That major blaze, the Garnet fire, took off Sunday afternoon in the Sierra National Forest, surging to almost 4,500 acres as of Monday morning, according to fire officials. Officials have not yet determined its cause.
Preparations and Response
In the Angeles National Forest, officials recorded at least five lightning-sparked fires over the weekend, though none grew beyond an acre. David Gomberg, a weather service meteorologist in Oxnard, attributed that to preparation before the storms by forecasters and fire officials. “When these events do happen and we get these small fires that are kept small, that’s the ideal situation we’re hoping for,” Gomberg said. “With the fuels being dry and the fact we haven’t had much rainfall [in Southern California] … the vegetation is extremely receptive right now.”
Conclusion
Though storms fueled by monsoonal moisture are normal for California’s interior and surrounding deserts this time of year, it’s unusual for the first one of the year to arrive this late in the season, experts say. The hot and dry weather over the U.S. Southwest, which brought record-setting heat to the region for almost a week, fueled this wave of storms. Elevated temperatures will remain across the region until at least Wednesday, as will the threat for thunderstorms, which can bring dry lightning, erratic winds and the chance for flooding.
FAQs
Q: What is a monsoonal storm?
A: A monsoonal storm is a type of storm that occurs when a region’s lingering heat pulls atmospheric moisture north, creating instability and leading to thunderstorms.
Q: What are the effects of monsoonal storms?
A: Monsoonal storms can cause disruptions to major events and daily life, including dust storms, lightning strikes, and forest fires.
Q: How do forecasters prepare for monsoonal storms?
A: Forecasters prepare for monsoonal storms by warning of a “monsoonal surge” that can bring a strong chance for thunderstorms, and by working with fire officials to prepare for potential fires.
Q: What is the outlook for the next few days?
A: Elevated temperatures will remain across the region until at least Wednesday, as will the threat for thunderstorms, which can bring dry lightning, erratic winds and the chance for flooding.
