Overview
- The National Weather Service and local outlets confirmed the monsoon officially started on June 15 and produced heavy, moisture‑rich storms across northern high‑elevation areas.
- High‑country storms have caused hail, gusty winds, abundant lightning and localized flash‑flood warnings and have sparked multiple lightning‑caused wildfires.
- Metro Phoenix has remained largely dry this week with extreme heat near 110°F and official heat warnings in effect for lower elevations.
- Forecasts say drier air will move in by mid‑ to late‑week and a likely multi‑week dry spell could raise near‑term wildfire and heat‑related hazards and complicate emergency response.
- NOAA and National Weather Service forecasters point to a strong El Niño signal that raises the season‑long chance of above‑normal monsoon rainfall, which could bring heavier storms later in the summer.