How dangerous are monsoons?
 

After hearing about the severe rain and wind that hit Phoenix, my husband & I are a little nervous about our upcoming trip in August. Although we will be spending most of our time in Sedona, do you think the monsoons could hamper our plans outside. Is there a storm everyday or is it that it is more likely to rain that time of year.<BR><BR>I hope there is someone out there who can give me some info on this.<BR><BR>Thanks!<BR><BR>EM

Here's the official story from the National Weather Service:<BR><BR>http://www.phx.noaa.gov/general/monsoon/

I think they're called monsoons because we are likely to get rain at this time of the year....July through September. The desert can't take much rain and it doesn't soak in well if it comes in long and hard, so the creeks and washes run with water, otherwise they are dry. The only thing that would hamper your trip is lightning if you are outside. And, do not go through running washes or areas with running water......it is often faster and more water than you might realize and your car could get caught and you'd have to get rescued and charged under "the stupid motorist law". We were so happy to have rain the other day...we got 1.58 inches at our house and we felt like we were in heaven. We had not had a measurable drop of rain since Nov. and then it was .11. In Sedona you could get a little rain every day, you just never know at this time of year.

When I used to work in Phoenix, they would close shop and send people home early if there was even a moderate rain.<BR>The streets flood easily and traffic jams are horrific because the desert doesn't absorb the water very well.<BR>But that didn't happen but a couple times per summer.

I wouldn't worry much about it. It's certainly not the "monsoons of Asian countries." The rains apparently are quite hard but don't last long and they help put out the danger of wildfires. Just go and enjoy Sedona.