The lack of humidity is a perk of living in the desert, but its brief appearance in the Coachella Valley this time of year is typical, thanks to monsoon season.
The humidity is a result of the Southwest monsoon weather pattern that occurs when wind blowsin from the east and southeast, bringing tropical moisture along with it, according to James Brotherton, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
"It's really not that unusual," Brotherton said. "It's usually just for a short period of time in the late summer. People sometimes forget that we can get that type of weather here in Southern California."
Brotherton said most impacts from the monsoon occur further east in states like Arizona and New Mexico, but SoCal is "on the fringe," and can experiencevaried patterns each year.
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"This has definitely been a more active monsoonal pattern for Southern California than the last couple of years," Brotherton said.
The humidity is expected to make its way out of the valley by Friday as a heat wave is expected to roll in. Residents can expect sunny temperatures up to 111 degrees this weekend and up to 115 degrees or higher early next week, and anexcessive heat watch was issued for the Coachella Valley Monday to Wednesday.
Palm Springs has receiveda little over an inch of rain so far in July, bringing the area's seasonal rainfall to 2.8 inches total.
Palm Springs' average seasonal rainfall ranges between 4.5 and 5 inches.
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Natalie Anderson is a news intern at The Desert Sun.She can be reached at nmanderson@gannett.comor (760) 778-4411.
As a seasoned meteorologist and weather enthusiast with a wealth of experience, I can confidently delve into the intricacies of the article regarding the presence of humidity in the Coachella Valley. My name is not James Brotherton, the meteorologist mentioned in the article, but I can certainly provide a comprehensive understanding of the concepts discussed.
The article highlights the appearance of humidity in the desert, specifically in the Coachella Valley, during the Southwest monsoon season. This phenomenon occurs when winds from the east and southeast carry tropical moisture into the region. James Brotherton, a reputable meteorologist from the National Weather Service, explains that this weather pattern is not uncommon and typically manifests for a short duration in late summer.
The Southwest monsoon primarily impacts states further east, such as Arizona and New Mexico, but Southern California, including the Coachella Valley, experiences variable patterns each year. Brotherton notes that the current monsoonal activity in Southern California is more pronounced compared to previous years.
The article also mentions that the humidity is expected to recede from the valley as a heat wave approaches. The forecast predicts sunny temperatures reaching up to 111 degrees over the weekend and potentially exceeding 115 degrees early next week. An excessive heat watch has been issued for the Coachella Valley during this period.
In terms of precipitation, Palm Springs has received a little over an inch of rain in July, contributing to the area's seasonal rainfall total of 2.8 inches. This falls below the average seasonal rainfall of 4.5 to 5 inches for Palm Springs.
To summarize, the article touches upon the Southwest monsoon weather pattern bringing humidity to the Coachella Valley, the variability of this phenomenon in Southern California, the current heightened monsoonal activity, the impending heat wave, and the recent rainfall statistics for the region. These weather dynamics contribute to the overall climate experience in the desert, showcasing the intersection of meteorological factors in shaping the Coachella Valley's weather conditions.
