North American Monsoon

1. North American Monsoon ATS 553

2. Annual Distribution of Precip

3. Cold Cloud Frequency

4. Cold Cloud Frequency In June: Cold clouds (i.e., thunderstorms) occur in the central U.S. and along the cordillera of the Sierra Madre mountains.

5. Cold Cloud Frequency

6. Cold Cloud Frequency In August: Cold clouds (i.e., thunderstorms) spread throughout Mexico and extreme southern Arizona.

7. 0Z images for 10 days in July 2004

11. Model of a Gulf Surge Transports moisture up the Gulf of California, up the Colorado River valley, and into the American Southwest.

12. Model of a Gulf Surge A Thermal Low exists over the deserts of Arizona and southern California.

13. Model of a Gulf Surge To get a Gulf Surge, you need to create an area of High pressure near the southern tip of Baja California. H

14. Model of a Gulf Surge Low level easterly waves slide across Central America, bringing convection.

15. Model of a Gulf Surge • When the convection is across the mouth of the Gulf of California, a region of relatively high pressure is created DUE TO COOLING. • Evaporation of raindrops • Reduced solar heating H

16. Model of a Gulf Surge At Yuma, Arizona: Winds shift out of the south-southeast. Temperatures FALL. Dewpoints RISE. H

19. Diurnal Cycle High altitudes have a peak of convection in mid afternoon. Low altitudes have a peak at night.